“We’re trying to make a better and bigger impact on the communities we serve.”
The UPMC Center for Social Impact (CSI) launched in December 2019 in collaboration with the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care. With the center, UPMC looked to coordinate, evaluate, and expand programming and innovations to address the social needs and social determinants of health in our communities.
Social determinants of health are the conditions in the environments where people live, work, and spend their time that can affect their health, well-being, and quality of life.
“We’re trying to make a better and bigger impact on the communities we serve,” says John Lovelace, president, Government Relations and Individual Advantage, UPMC Health Plan.
In under three years, the center is making a difference. Many of CSI’s programs address the impact of poverty, “which has an impact on health care, of course,” Lovelace says.
The CSI strives to help not only UPMC Health Plan members but the broader community. One initiative is affordable housing, in which UPMC is investing millions. We recognize housing is key to a healthier life, and people often sacrifice health care to pay for housing.
“We have the will and capacity to really make a difference,” says Ray Prushnok, assistant vice president, Program Development and Social Impact, UPMC Health Plan.
In addition to building affordable housing, other CSI initiatives include:
“I’m thankful to have found my way to working on some of the issues that mean a lot to me personally,” says Dan LaVallee, senior director, Social Impact, UPMC Health Plan.
Many other programs are already underway or in the works for the future.
At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means bringing a positive impact to society.
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