Cleveland-based MetroHealth Medical Center is teaming up with local churches to provide care for trauma patients after discharge in an effort to learn more about these patients' backgrounds and where they go after the hospital, News 5 Cleveland reports.
The Rev. Tony Minor is leading the program and working with community faith leaders. "One person, one family, one block at a time," Mr. Minor said. "They'll be there to sort of pick up where the hospital left off."
The churches will get referrals from the hospital to contact patients, providing support and encouragement for them, Mr. Minor said.
Trained church leaders will assist with taking patients to medical appointments, providing child care and giving them access to jobs and mental health professionals.
The partnership aims to end the cycle of violence and generational trauma in neighborhoods.
"We can't just focus on the healing of the physical body," Mr. Minor said. "It's about healing a person, but also healing the community."
Church leaders are being trained by MetroHealth professionals, and a pilot program is expected to be launched this fall.