Legacy Health

As the health needs of communities surrounding our hospitals are frequently changing, Legacy continues to identify investments for underserved populations. Legacy collaborates with other health delivery systems and community-based organizations to improve the health of the community. One example of a collaboration addressing Access to Care, is Project Access Now (PANOW). PANOW provides innovative, integrated support for patients and healthcare providers across the tri-county region. Through shared investments, the monthly cost of premiums and out-of-pocket expenses are covered for patients who cannot afford to make those payments on their own. Additionally, PANOW connects uninsured and low-income individuals with donated primary and specialty care. Recognizing that health professions are lacking in diversity, Legacy established the Health Occupation Profession and Education program (HOPE, formerly Youth Employment in Summer). Each year students of ethnically diverse communities have access to paid summer employment in departments where they work with health professionals. Students are paid between $15-18 per hour and may work up to 400 hours over the summer. HOPE students also receive college scholarships between $3,000 and $10,000 annually. Students remain in the program if they remain in school and pursue health careers. Some students remain in the program as long as seven years and graduate with a range of degrees from imaging technician to Bachelor of Science in nursing to medical doctor. Most students are the first in their family to go to college. Legacy supports The Contingent - Emerging Leaders Internship Program. Through this program college students and recent graduates from ethnically diverse communities are matched with top companies throughout the Portland Metropolitan area for a 10-week paid summer internship. Program goals aim to provide this demographic with a comprehensive pathway to economic and personal success with structured programming that engages students throughout their professional journey. Students are paid between $15-18 per hour and may work up to 400 hours over the summer. Legacy encourages and supports employee volunteerism. Legacy donates $100 to nonprofit health, human service or education organizations in honor of employees who volunteer on personal time 50 hours a year. Employees may receive paid time when volunteering in one or two week time periods in local nonprofit organizations through Legacy's community service leave program.Non-cash donations of resources include clinical and non-clinical services and items (e.g., screenings and support services, internships, information and referral services and health fairs). Legacy's warehouse is available to nonprofit organizations to obtain surplus equipment and furniture. In addition, conference room space and other infrastructure services are made available to local nonprofits for a variety of uses.In FY24 Legacy Health contributed system-wide over $662M in community benefit across all reportable categories, including financial assistance. Of the $662M total community benefit, $2.4M was allocated through strategic investments and grant making to community-based organizations to address access to culturally and linguistically responsive health care, essential community services and resources, and a neighborhood for all.