Loma Linda University Health System Touts Recent Two-Day Conference

Loma Linda University Health System officials held a two-day conference for representatives of other health care providers on June 28-29, a university spokeswoman announced Friday.

"The Health System Learning Group in coordination with the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at Health and Human Services gathered together to help each other fulfill their core missions to serve their communities through faith-based partnerships," university spokeswoman Briana Pastorino said in a statement.

The primary focus of the two-day gathering "was on making sure that health systems receive the maximum impact for the money spent on ministry to the communities, not just on how much they give," Pastorino said.

The group first met in Washington, D.C., in September 2011, Pastorino said. Since then, LLUHS has broadened its commitment to improve and evaluate community health interventions, Pastorino said.

"Most health systems have opportunities to improve health outcomes and this learning group acknowledges that as a nation we need to partner with our communities to develop a true 'health system' that creates value," Loma Linda University Medical Center CEO Ruthita Fike said. "I've enjoyed strategizing with other faith-based institutions so we can all achieve the best outcomes possible."

Loma Linda is part of the Healthy San Bernardino Coalition, a community initiative to promote healthy, active ways of life in San Bernardino, Pastorino said. The coalition includes schools, universities, parents, community-based organizations, elected officials, public policy makers and residents, Pastorino said.

In addition, LLUHS recently collaborated with , the Redlands-based global software development company that provides geographic information systems and geodatabase management applications, Pastorino said.

"With the use of Esri's GIS Server technology, LLUHS will be able to identify geographic areas with the poorest health outcomes within the Inland Empire, focusing its efforts strategically to improve population health by digging deeper into environmental issues that have a negative impact on community health, such as poor access to healthy foods," Pastorino said.

Partnerships may then be developed within the community to change local ordinances, advocate for healthy options, plant community gardens and provide nutrition education, according to Pastorino.

"Hospital systems across the globe are increasingly valuing technologies that can integrate data across a community so that both personal healthcare and community health are equally improved," Bill Davenhall, Esri's Global Marketing Manager for Health and Human Services, said during the conference.

The Health System Learning Group plans to meet next in October at Henry Ford Health System in Michigan.