Catawba Valley Health System (CVHS) this month is launching FaithHealth
Catawba, a dynamic partnership between the faith community, health system
and other community partners focused on improving health of underserved
local citizens.
FaithHealth mobilizes congregations and volunteers from the community,
offering ministry and advocacy to those in need. Support is provided before,
during and/or after hospitalization. Volunteers make home visits, provide
emotional and spiritual support and help with other needs as appropriate.
FaithHealth Catawba is part of a larger network, FaithHealthNC, whose goal
is to improve health by getting people to the right door at the right
time, ready to be treated, not alone. This network includes over 489 congregations
and over 685 trained volunteers. FaithHealth combines the caring strength
of congregations, the expertise of healthcare providers and a network
of community resources. All partners are linked in a shared mission of healing.
“We want to build partnerships with existing social structures and
serve our community members through advocacy,” said Honey Estrada,
Health First Center Coordinator at CVHS and organizer of the local effort.
“I am excited about what this program will bring to our community,
the lives we will touch and the success we will see.”
Carolyn Thompson, CVHS Faith Community Nurse, added “I see a daily
need for many of the community members of our local population to have
an advocate, especially in matters of their health and well-being. Our
faith community encounters these citizens on a regular basis. FaithHealth
allows a structure whereby the faith community and other local partners
can help connect these citizens to the resources they need.”
For more information about FaithHealth Catawba, contact our FaithHealth
coordinator at
healthfirst@catawbavalleymc.org or call 828.485.2300, extension 6201. You may also visit
www.catawbavalleyhealth.org/Medical-Center/Health-Wellness/FaithHealth-Catawba