In fiscal year 2009 (October, 2008-September, 2009) EMHS provided $107,913,498 in total system-wide community benefit for the nine counties that EMHS serves. Details for each EMHS affiliate, including Inland Hospital in Waterville, are outlined in the  EMHS Community Benefit Report released this week.

Inland’s total community benefit in 2009 was nearly six million dollars. The figure represents resources for community health improvement services; donations to local community-building activities (including educational, cultural, economic efforts); as well as charity care and the unpaid cost of government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.

A few of the highlights of Inland’s community benefit activities over 2009 include: World of Women’s Wellness and Men’s Maintenance health fairs, which attracted more than 700 people and offered hundreds of free health screenings. Inland also helped residents learn more about their heart health by providing nearly 1100 blood pressure screenings at local supermarkets. In addition, Inland contributed $50,000 to more than two-dozen local organizations for community-building projects and health initiatives, such as nutrition education programs in local schools.

The EMHS Community Benefit Report is published quarterly. For more information or to receive future reports, please e-mail communitybenefit@emh.org.