Partnerships

In partnership with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and Boston University School of Management, Cardinal Health helped to develop a leadership program for directors of pharmacy at hospitals and health systems. Funded by the Cardinal Health Foundation, this weeklong program is designed to broaden business skills, managerial versatility and the extraordinary leadership demanded of today's directors of pharmacy. More than 200 directors of pharmacy have completed the program to learn how to provide better care for patients.

» Learn more about the executive education programs and the Pharmacy Leadership Institute at Boston University.

The Cardinal Health Foundation became a lead sponsor of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) 100,000 Lives Campaign in Spring 2005 with a $500,000 commitment. The campaign focused on the implementation of six key interventions that were scientifically proven to save lives. Thousands of people are harmed in U.S. hospitals every day and IHI estimates that nearly 15 million instances of medical harm occur in the U.S. each year – a rate of 40,000 per day. IHI estimated that the 100,000 Lives Campaign partners saved over 120,000 lives over the 18-months of the campaign which ended in June 2006.

IHI has followed this highly successful campaign with the 5 Million Lives Campaign which challenges American hospitals to adopt 12 changes in care that will save lives and reduce patient injuries. The Cardinal Health Foundation is also a leading sponsor of this two-year campaign with a commitment of $1 million.

» Learn more about IHI’s 5 Million Lives Campaign.

The Maryland Patient Safety Center was created in 2004 to develop and implement strategies to improve the safety of patient care in Maryland. The Cardinal Health Foundation partnered with the Maryland Patient Safety Center to offer two Cardinal Health Patient Safety Grants at $50,000 each. The grants were awarded in June 2006 to:

• Atlantic General Hospital for the development and evaluation of an electronic medication and allergy reconciliation system linking primary care physicians’ practices with the Atlantic General Hospital’s inpatient data system.
• Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for the development, evaluation and dissemination of a tool for computerized prescribing of controlled substances to children, with decision support for improving patient safety.

All Faiths Receiving Home
La Solana del Valle Day Care Child Wellness Clinic
La Solana del Valle Day Care provides quality child care for low-income children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. By operating a Child Wellness Clinic on its day care campus, All Faiths Receiving Home provides basic wellness checks, immunizations, vision and hearing screenings to children who would not likely otherwise receive primary medical care. Staffed by a nurse practitioner from the University of New Mexico College of Nursing, the clinic also educates parents about their children’s medical needs and maintains medical records of each child’s care. For more information, visit allfaiths.org.

Dismas House New Mexico
Life by Design Program
By providing employment, education, literacy and parenting services to its clients, Dismas House New Mexico helps parolees transition successfully back into society. Funding from the Cardinal Health Foundation will be used to assist the agency in hiring a licensed counselor who will provide health literacy and substance abuse education to recent parolees, and who will work with clients to ensure they understand how to safely use prescription medications. For more information, visit dismashousenewmexico.org

New Mexico AIDS Services
Meals and Meds Program
The Meals and Meds Program operates educational support groups (facilitated in both English and Spanish) to help low-income people living with HIV/AIDS understand how to fully comply with complex medical treatments and medications. In addition to supporting the health literacy of low-income AIDS/HIV patients, the program also provides meals, support and empowerment to individuals who often do not have a strong social network of support. For more information, visit nmas.net.

New Mexico Health Care Takes on Diabetes’ (NMHCTOD)
Albuquerque Prescription Trails: Get Up and Get Moving Program
NMHCTOD is a coalition of 27 health care organizations that joined forces in 1999 to provide education, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment to people with diabetes. The Albuquerque Prescription Trails Program encourages health care providers to offer ‘walking prescriptions’ to patients who need to increase physical activity, with the ultimate goal of encouraging patients to adopt regular walking as a lifelong activity to improve health and decrease rates of obesity. To learn more, visit nmtod.com.

PB & J Family Services
School-Based Health Center
PB & J Family Services offer an array of education and support programs to low-income families in central New Mexico, many of whom face risk factors ranging from domestic violence and incarceration to mental illness, under-nutrition and substance abuse. Its School-Based Health Center offers free, on-site health services to children and their families who are enrolled in PB & J programs. Key services include primary care for illnesses and injuries, comprehensive well-child exams, immunizations, alcohol and substance abuse counseling, mental health screenings and treatment and health promotion and risk reduction programs. The health center also operates an emergency medical fund for indigent families who do not have the resources to pay for prescriptions, medical supplies and specialized care not covered by Medicaid or other services. To learn more, visit pbjfamilyservices.org.

Special Olympics New Mexico
Healthy Athletes Initiative
Understanding that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a 40 percent greater risk of preventable health conditions, ranging from obesity and nutritional deficits to poorly treated vision, dental, hearing and podiatric problems, Special Olympics provides these individuals with the opportunity to improve overall health through athletic competition. The Healthy Athletes Initiative provides seven health screenings to improve the ability of mentally and physically handicapped athletes to compete in the Special Olympics. The program also makes referrals to local health practitioners when necessary, and trains health care professionals and students about the needs and care of people with intellectual disabilities. For more information, visit sonm.org.

Access HealthColumbus
Electronic Health Record Initiative
The mission of Access HealthColumbus is to improve access to health care, medication and affordable insurance; particularly among the area’s most vulnerable populations. This two-year pilot project will build the information technology infrastructure to allow primary care providers and patients to safely, securely and more efficiently access patient medical records. In doing so, the project aims to empower central Ohio patients to be more involved in their own health care and advance the adoption of health information technology among primary care organizations. Learn more at accesshealthcolumbus.org.

Alzheimer’s Association
Caregiver Support Program
Through this program, interdisciplinary teams of occupational therapists, registered nurses and social workers regularly visit Alzheimer’s patients and their families to ensure they understand and receive the support they need to comply with medications and other medical care action plans developed by their primary care providers. Learn more at alz.org/centralohio.

Amethyst
Nurse Practitioner Health Literacy Program
Amethyst provides a safe, structured and affordable therapeutic community to help recovering, impoverished drug- and alcohol-dependent women gain and maintain sobriety. The goal of the Nurse Practitioner project is to improve the utilization of medical services among these women; with the ultimate goal of empowering them to better manage personal health for themselves and their children. Learn more at amethyst-inc.org

Asian-American Community Services
Here for Health Health Literacy Initiative
Understanding that a lack of understanding of Western culture, preventive care and the United States health care system can lead to disparities in health care access and quality among Asian populations, this culturally and linguistically appropriate program is designed to help Asian members of the central Ohio community better understand the importance of preventive medicine, how to access health care services and how to better manage personal health for themselves and their children. Learn more at aacsohio.org.

Central Ohio Diabetes Association
La Vida es Dulce: A Hispanic Outreach, Detection and Education Program
A high percentage of central Ohio’s growing Hispanic population has limited access to social services and medical care – while also experiencing high rates of obesity and diabetes. This outreach, detection and education program seeks to identify members of the local Hispanic community who have undetected or uncontrolled diabetes and then link them with the education, medical care and community resources they need to better manage the disease and live healthier lives. Learn more at diabetesohio.org.

Columbus Council on World Affairs
Global Health Community Conversations health education program
Through a series of educational events involving community leaders and local high school students, this program will increase central Ohioans’ awareness of global health challenges and solutions and encourage them to consider ways to implement those global solutions to local health care challenges. Learn more at columbusworldaffairs.org.

Columbus Medical Association Physician’s Free Clinic
Medical Interpretive Services Initiative
The Physician’s Free Clinic provides free medical services to thousands of central Ohioans who might not otherwise have access to quality medical care. Nearly 75 percent of those who visit the clinic do not speak English; or they speak English as their second language. This new program will enhance the clinic’s ability to serve the community by providing free, phone-based medical interpretive services for patients who have limited English proficiency. By providing patients and health care providers with access to translators who can help them communicate more clearly with each other, the program will enhance providers’ understanding of patients’ health care problems and help patients better understand recommended treatment plans. Learn more at cmaf-ohio.org.

Communities in Schools
Fun Family Fitness Program
Communities in Schools is committed to reducing school drop out rates in at-risk communities. Its Fun Family Fitness program offers students and their families the opportunity to participate in fun physical activities, nutrition classes and health education workshops to help them create their own fitness routines, understand how to prepare nutritionally balanced meals and become more educated about their overall health. Learn more at ciskids.org.

COSI Little Kidspace exhibit
Through a partnership with The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, COSI will enhance its Little Kidspace exhibit programming to educate parents, elementary and middle school students about the safe use of medication. Programming will include interactive parent education and take-home materials, field trips and work shops. To learn more, visit COSI.org.

Franklin Park Conservatory
Growing to Green Nutrition Education Program
This community gardening outreach program provides hands-on, community-focused nutrition education to central Ohio children and families, with the goal of encouraging urban youth to make healthier food choices, eat more fruits and vegetables and engage in more physical activity. Learn more at fpconservatory.org.

Goodwill Columbus
My Life, My Health patient engagement program
The My Life, My Health program helps individuals with disabilities and other barriers learn how to effectively communicate with health care professionals, how to take a more active role in their health care and how to work with a family physician who can provide them with preventive care services. The program also helps individuals with disabilities understand their medications and insurance benefits. Learn more at goodwillcolumbus.org.

King Arts Complex
Mind, Body and Soul Program
Mind, Body and Soul is day-long educational event that is open to the public and provides health information in a positive, fun format targeted to African Americans in central Ohio. The program features lectures and demonstrations by licensed dieticians, health professionals and community fitness experts; and also offers free exercise and fitness classes, diabetic, blood pressure and dental screenings. Learn more at kingartscomplex.com.

LifeCare Alliance
Visiting Pharmacist Program
Individuals age 65 and older have an increased likelihood of becoming ill, take more prescription medications and have a higher occurrence of adverse drug reactions than other age groups. To address these issues, the Visiting Pharmacist Program helps senior citizens (particularly those who have limited access to health education and other resources) to better understand how to compliantly use their medications, assists them with finding the most affordable way to purchase medications and increases their awareness and understanding of the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. Learn more at lifecarealliance.org.

March of Dimes
Preemie Parent Support Program
This program provides materials and educational resources to support central Ohio families with babies in special care nurseries and neonatal intensive care units. The program also offers continuing education programs to help medical professionals strengthen their understanding of the special needs of parents of premature babies. Learn more marchofdimes.com.

MidOhio FoodBank’s Campaign to Sustain
Funding from the Cardinal Health Foundation will be used to repurpose and expand one of the FoodBank’s existing warehouses to better support emergency food distribution to families in 16 central Ohio counties. The new, eco-friendly facility will also expand opportunities for central Ohioans to volunteer at the MidOhio Foodbank. For more information, visit MidOhioFoodBank.org.

National Alliance for Mentally Ill
Family to Family Health Literacy Program
This educational program offers family members of mentally ill individuals the opportunity to work together to gain a greater understanding of mental illness, coping skills and how to become empowered advocates for the better treatment for their relatives. In doing so, the program also aims to equip families of individuals suffering from mental illness with the skills needed to enhance their loved one's quality of life. Learn more at namiohio.org.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation
School Nurse, Family and Pediatrician Program
This pilot program will create a replicable model for enhanced communication and collaboration among school nurses, family members and primary care physicians of ill children who are enrolled in Medicaid programs and have an established ‘medical home’ at a children’s hospital. Learn more at nationwidechildrens.org.

Ohio Association of Free Clinics
Health Literacy Initiative
Through this multi-faceted project, the Ohio Association of Free Clinics will develop and deliver educational programs to advance the health literacy of the practitioners who work at participating free clinics and the patients they serve. The project ultimately aims to better prepare clinicians to serve the unique needs of patients who are uninsured, may lack health literacy and may encounter language barriers that prevent them from fully engaging in the management of their personal health. Learn more at ohiofreeclinics.org.

Wexner Center for the Arts’ Prescription Drug Safety Initiative for Teens
Through this teen engagement/peer education program, The Ohio State University’s Wexner Center for the Arts will invite finalists from its annual student video competition to create videos that promote the safe use of prescription medications. The creator of the winning video will receive a cash award in recognition of his or her efforts and all finalist videos will be showcased during the Wexner Center for the Arts’ annual student video exhibition. For more information, visit Wexarts.org.

YMCA
Obesity Intervention Project
Through the Obesity Intervention Project, the YMCA partners with Nationwide Children's Hospital to offer nutrition education and physical activity programming to overweight children, ages 12 through 14, and their families in the Franklin County area. The 26-week program, which includes individualized care, nutrition counseling, fun and safe physical activity, psychological counseling and support, seeks to reduce the incidence of overweight among at-risk populations. Learn more at ymcacolumbus.org.

Arkansas Rice Depot
Food for Kids Program
Started in 1995, this program feeds more than 22,000 hungry children each year, through a partnership with more than 50 percent of all public schools in Arkansas. The Food for Kids Program provides back packs and ‘kid-friendly,’ healthy foods to children at risk of hunger during nights and weekends. Participating children experience improved overall health, improved academic attendance and are more likely to come to school prepared to learn. For more information, visit arkansasricedepot.org.

Arkansas Special Olympics Special Olympics provides free training, coaching and support to mentally and physically handicapped athletes in an effort to support their overall health and wellness. For more information, visit specialolympics.org.

Hearts & Hooves
Healthy Kids by Healthy Horses Program
Hearts & Hooves offers therapeutic riding and other activities to improve the emotional and physical well being of individuals with disabilities and other mental, physical or social limitations. Through the new Healthy Kids by Healthy Horses Program, Hearts & Hooves will partner with Arkansas Children’s Hospital to teach overweight children basic nutrition, physical fitness and confidence-building skills through a 10-week equine assistance course staffed by community volunteers. The goal of the program is for participating children to experience improved confidence, personal endurance, flexibility and understanding of fitness and nutrition. For more information, visit heartsandhooves.com.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South
Wish Sponsor Program
Through a partnership with Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South ‘grants wishes’ for chronically ill children in central Arkansas, with the goal of providing them with the hope, strength and joy needed to cope with the demanding physical and mental trials of having a life-threatening medical condition. For more information, visit midsouthwish.org.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas
Care Mobile
The Ronald McDonald House Care Mobile provides cost-effective, high-quality dental and medical care to medically underserved children – particularly those with chronic or untreated medical or dental conditions and those who are prevented from attending school for medical reasons. In Arkansas, the Care Mobile works with schools, Head Start and community health centers to focus the majority of its outreach on the state’s most rural, highest-need areas. Clinicians staff the Care Mobile and also provide parents and children with extensive oral health education, help them locate resources for ongoing care and treatment, and help them enroll in federally assisted health insurance programs. For more information, visit rmhclittlerock.org.

American Cancer Society, Louisville Chapter
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program
ACS’s premier event to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer. For more information, visit cancer.org.

America’s Second Harvest of Kentucky’s Heartland
Back Pack Program
The Back Pack Program provides back packs and ‘kid-friendly,’ healthy foods to nearly 37,000 hungry Kentucky children each week to ensure they have adequate nutrition during nights and weekends. Participating children experience improved overall health, academic attendance and are more likely to come to school prepared to learn. For more information, visit secondharvestky.org.

March of Dimes Foundation
Radcliff Campaign for Healthier Babies
Understanding that rates of premature births in Kentucky are higher than the natural average; and that premature birth can often lead to prolonged infant illness or death, the Campaign for Healthier Babies seeks to reduce rates of preventable premature births in the state. The program provides health professionals, community leaders, nursery and neonatal intensive care unit professionals with educational materials that in turn empower them to educate child bearing families about the risk factors that often lead to premature birth. For more information, visit marchofdimes.org.

USA Cares
Food Card Distribution Program
This program provides gift cards from major grocery chains to United States service member families in need of food, formula, diapers and other basic necessities. National Guardsmen and Reservists often experience a severe income reduction when called to active duty; and returning and wounded service men and women often face challenges when trying to secure employment while they become re-acclimated to their communities. This program seeks to reduce stress and anxiety among service member families and improve their overall health by ensuring their basic food needs are met during times of financial strain. For more information, visit usacares.org.

American Cancer Society of Lake County, Ill.
Patient Navigation Services
Patient Navigation Services was created to ensure that all cancer patients receive the information, day-to-day help and emotional support they need to face cancer with greater confidence. More than 20,000 patients receive assistance, annually, including reliable cancer information, day-to-day support and emotional support from cancer survivors and fellow caregivers. For more information, visit cancer.org.

Boys and Girls Club of Lake County, Ill.
Triple Play Wellness Program
Programs and services at the Club promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Triple Play is a dynamic wellness program that demonstrates how eating right, keeping fit and forming positive relationships add up to a healthy lifestyle. The goals of the Triple Play program are to improve Club members’ knowledge of healthy habits; increase the number of hours per day they participate in physical activities; and strengthen their ability to interact positively with others and engage in positive relationships. To learn more, visit bgclc.com.

Chicago Youth Programs
Afterschool Health Clinics
Chicago Youth Programs, Inc. (CYP) aims to improve the opportunities and health of at-risk youth. CYP’s volunteer-staffed clinics offer primary and preventive health care and safe transportation -- free of charge -- ensuring access to even the most isolated families. In addition, the organization’s Children Teaching Children Peer Mentoring program complements the primary health care offered in CYP clinics by focusing on the prevention of at-risk health behaviors including drug abuse, teen parenthood, violence and STDs/AIDS while promoting educational and social values. For more information, visit chicagoyouthprograms.org.

ChildServ
Healthy Fit Preventive Health Program
Founded in 1894, ChildServ gives hope to underserved children and their families through a wide range of community-based programs and services that place children in safe, nurturing home environments. ChildServ’s Healthy Fit program provides low-income minority children and families with resources that promote their long-term health and better access to quality and cost-effective health care. The agency serves thousands of children and families throughout the Chicagoland area. Additional information can be found at childserv.org.

City of Miracles
Back-to-School Festival and Healthcare Awareness programs
City of Miracles promotes job opportunities, a drug-free community and spiritual support through activities and information made available at local festivals. Its back-to-school festivals provide free food, school supplies and backpacks to 30,000 underserved children and adults. More information is available at cityofmiracles.com.

Family Shelter Service
Health Care Advocacy Program
Family Shelter Services provides many free, confidential services (in English and Spanish) for victims of domestic violence, including individual and group counseling, court advocacy, shelter, a hotline, teen services, children's services and Latina services. The goal of its counseling is to empower women, teens and children to make informed decisions regarding their need for safety, self-esteem and acceptance. Please visit familyshelterservice.org for more information.

Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA)
Healthy & Active Lifestyles for Impaired Youth Program
GLASA was formed in 1993 as a program of the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County to provide adaptive sports and recreational programs for physically and visually disabled individuals in northern Illinois. GLASA’s Healthy and Active Lifestyles program for youth incorporates physical activity and wellness measurement at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, where it also offers camps, clinics and sports competition. To learn more, visit glasa.org.

HealthReach Inc.
Chronic Disease Management and Health Education Program
HealthReach Inc. and its community partners provide medical, pharmaceutical, case management and social service programming to the medically underserved. Working at two free clinics, 54 volunteer physicians and medical / pharmaceutical professionals offer free care including general family medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, endocrinology, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, neurology, urology, dental care, pharmacy services, lab services and phlebotomy. For more information, visit healthreachcares.org.

Northern Illinois Food Bank
Senior Food Box Program
Founded in 1983, Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) serves as a link between national food manufacturers and local agencies that directly serve the hungry. NIFB distributes food to hungry people in 13 northern Illinois counties through a network of more than 520 agency partners including retailers, manufacturers, corporations, nonprofit food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and other food assistance sites. NIFB is a member of America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network. To learn more, visit northernilfoodbank.org.

Omni Youth Services
Northern Chicago Counseling Program
As the largest and most comprehensive youth development organization serving the needs of Chicago’s northwest suburbs, OMNI works with thousands of youth and families, many of whom come from backgrounds of significant abuse or neglect. OMNI provides counseling services, mentoring, youth development and substance treatment programs. To learn more, visit omniyouth.org.

Rush-Copley Foundation
Platicas para Mujeres (Latina Talks) Program
Rush-Copley Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Rush-Copley Medical Center. The Latina Talks program responds to disparities that threaten the long-term health and well being of Hispanic women in the Aurora, Ill., community by providing educational material, seminars on disease prevention and early detection, healthy eating classes and exercise programs. Learn more at rushcopley.com

YWCA of Lake County
Adolescent Girls Health Project
YWCA Lake County’s core programs focus on women's economic advancement;, parent and provider education and training; women and girls' health; after school enrichment and youth leadership and development. Ninety percent of YWCA programs are offered in Spanish and English. Its Adolescent Girls Health Project provides adolescent girls with a foundation of factual, age-appropriate health information in an informal setting. The YWCA works closely with schools and parents to educate girls on the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and early pregnancy, while at the same time educating girls on healthy relationships, good nutrition, goal setting and building self esteem. To learn more, visit ywcalakecounty.org.

American Heart Association
Start! Wellness Program
Because inactivity is a leading cause of obesity and many preventable diseases, the Start! Wellness Program seeks to end inactivity in the workplace. The program works through employers to create a culture of physical activity and health that empowers employees to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. To learn more, visit americanheart.org.

La Maestra Family Clinic
Healthy Choices Program
La Maestra Family Clinic provides low-income, at-risk families in San Diego’s central region – many of whom are faced with significant language barriers, a history of poor health and lack access to proper health care – with culturally competent health care and education services. The Healthy Choices Program seeks to reduce incidence of obesity and the chronic disease it causes (including diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease) among low-income families by offering intensive nutritional and physical fitness education. To learn more, visit lamaestra.org.

Parkinson’s Disease Association of San Diego
In-Home Care Program
This program provides low-income Parkinson’s disease patients with long-term, in-home care that can prevent or delay institutionalization and emergency room visits while allowing them to be supported by family in their own homes. Many of the services the program provides – including medication management, fall prevention, therapeutic exercise and assistance eating, bathing and dressing – are not covered by many insurers and can be difficult for untrained family members to administer on their own. By subsidizing the cost of in-home care, this program enables Parkinson’s patients to receive quality, culturally competent care that improves their overall health and quality of life. For more information, visit apdaparkinson.org.

Rady Children’s Hospital
Preventative Care for Hematology/Oncology Patients
Funding from the Cardinal Health Foundation supports two initiatives that improve the overall health of hematology and oncology patients at Rady Children’s Hospital. To help reduce rates of cancer recurrence and the onset of other chronic diseases, the Foundation funds an interactive nutrition education program that helps cancer patients and their families understand how to maintain a healthy weight, make healthy food choices and lead physically active lifestyles. The Foundation also supports Rady’s school integration program, which helps school-age children return to school after cancer. The program helps teachers, families and students understand how cancer-related physical, emotional and cognitive changes can affect academic performance and social interaction. It also educates teachers and parents about how they can help create a healthy learning environment for child cancer survivors. For more information, visit chsd.org.