Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Allentown Health Bureau Director Vicky Kistler were presented with a $97,400 from the Highmark Foundation this afternoon.
This funding supports the Health Bureau’s efforts to attain public health department accreditation, which will advance quality and performance within the bureau and improve health outcomes for Allentown residents. Jane Brooks of Highmark Community Affairs made the presentation at a ceremony at Alliance Hall.
“I am very proud of the work that Vicky and the members of her staff do every day in the City of Allentown,” said Pawlowski. “The Health Bureau portion of the city website literally lists programs running from A-to-Z. Whether it involves clinics in this office or food protection inspections in establishments across this city, the Health Bureau does an excellent job. It is fantastic that Highmark recognizes the Bureau's work as well."
Kistler said, “The Allentown Health Bureau is committed to providing excellent customer service. Thanks to the generosity of the Highmark Foundation, we have embarked on a Continuous Quality Improvement initiative designed to improve efficiency, eliminate waste, increase citizen and staff satisfaction and set the stage to complete the four key components necessary to achieve accreditation – community health needs assessment, quality improvement processes, a community health improvement plan and a strategic plan. We are grateful to the Highmark Foundation for allowing us to train, analyze, structure and achieve that quality for the staff and citizens.”
In making the presentation Brooks said, “Our ultimate goal at the Highmark Foundation is to increase awareness of important health issues and stimulate long-term systematic change. One of the ways we do that is by awarding strategic health grants that impact community health. The grant presented to the Allentown Health Bureau today is a perfect example of that type of partnership.”
The Bureau’s first project is to redefine the way it manages and stores medical information. Kistler says the Bureau is on its way and is very grateful to the Highmark Foundation for its support.
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