Improving health care access

Main Line Health's mission is to improve the health and well-being of those within our communities. Ensuring that everyone in our communities has access to the services and care they need—regardless of age, race, gender or socioeconomic status— is essential to fulfilling that mission.

That's part of why we've made creating equal health care access an integral part of the care we provide at our hospitals. We partner with community organizations to ensure health care equity—identifying the unique needs of our respective community and developing programs, services and events that meet and fully address these needs.

Creating equal health care access: Lankenau Medical Center

At Lankenau Medical Center, we're committed to improving the health and wellness—and health care access—of all those in our area. Check out three of our programs:

  • Deaver Education Center—The Delema G. Deaver Health Education Center at Lankenau Medical Center is committed to promoting the health and well-being of its visitors. Through the use of innovative technology and educational programming, both children and adults will discover the importance of developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The Health Education Center provides visitors with a creative, interactive learning environment that supplements the education efforts of schools, families and community organizations.
  • Deaver Wellness Farm—We recognize the connection between nutrition and wellness. In collaboration with Greener Partners, we are one of only a few hospitals nationwide to take the progressive step of planting and maintaining a year-round organic garden on-site that is integrated into how we deliver health care. Our goal is to harness the power of locally grown food to strengthen our community's health.
  • Medical Student Advocate Program—This program is an innovative collaboration between Lankenau Medical Center and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, created with the intention of improving health outcomes for vulnerable patients. Second-year medical students act as advocates for patients, working to recognize and address non-medical needs and barriers to care.

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Creating equal health care access: Bryn Mawr Hospital

At Bryn Mawr Hospital, we're working to create equal health care access for everyone within our community. Here are a few of the programs helping to do that:

  • Ask a Nurse Program—A registered nurse from Bryn Mawr Hospital provides education, counseling, referrals and care management to the senior population through a hospital partnership with eight local senior centers, food pantries and thrift stores. Through the program, our nurses can also address issues such as isolation and depression, which are more prevalent among adults age 65 and over.
  • Helmet fittings—High-quality bike helmets and BMX/skate helmets are offered for only $10 per helmet through Bryn Mawr Hospital. These are ProRider helmets approved by the Snell Memorial Foundation and are Consumer Product Safety Commission-certified.
  • ElderNet of Lower Merion and Narberth and Ada Mutch Community Resource Center— Bryn Mawr Hospital has a unique partnership with ElderNet, a local non-profit organization that provides a safety net for older and disabled adults to help them remain in their homes with dignity. ElderNet also aims to improve food and financial security for all community members in need of support. Bryn Mawr Hospital staff regularly donate food items for the pantry and provide education programming.
  • Free Wig Program—For female cancer patients anticipating or experiencing hair loss as a result of chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatments. The program offers a 1-hour consultation with a wig specialist, 1 free synthetic wig, 1 free turban and resources for support. Sponsored by the Women's Board of Bryn Mawr Hospital. To schedule an appointment, call 484.337.5215.

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Creating equal health care access: Paoli Hospital

At Paoli Hospital, we know that nutrition is critical to good health, and our Community Health & Equity team is working to provide access to healthy foods and other wellness programs. Here's some of what we're doing:

  • Food Insecurity Efforts—Our Food Insecurity Program meets a vital need for patients who are discharged from the hospital but are at risk for readmission and sickness due to limited access to nutritious food. Through this program, at-risk patients who are discharged from the hospital are offered access to community resources, such as food banks and food benefits, as well as community gardens with free produce. Through this program, patients receive follow-up consultation to ensure they have access to healthy food sources.
  • Community Volunteers in Medicine—Community Volunteers in Medicine provides coordinated health care at no cost to low-income individuals and families who have no other place to turn for care in the Chester County region. Paoli Hospital partners with CVIM to provide vital care to those within our community, including medical care for the underinsured and uninsured.

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Creating equal health care access: Riddle Hospital

At Riddle Hospital, we recognize that many patients lack access to cancer screenings and other vital health services. That's why we've partnered with the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Organization to offer important and potentially lifesaving screenings.

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Through this partnership, Riddle Hospital provides free breast cancer screenings to eligible patients each fall. For more information, contact Lorie Matson at 484.227.4480.

Main Line Health serves patients at hospitals and health centers throughout the western suburbs of Philadelphia. To schedule an appointment with a specialist at Main Line Health, call 1.866.CALL.MLH (225.5654) or use our secure online appointment request form.