Thanks to the generous support of the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, Aurora Health Care can expand the Returning Citizens program, which provides primary care to individuals recently released from incarceration.
With 75% of all previously incarcerated individuals in Wisconsin served by Aurora Health Care, Aurora Sinai Medical Center’s Family Care Clinic has partnered with Transitions Clinic Network (TCN) to meet the unique needs of this population to reach more patients prior to their release. Once only able to care for around 200 patients per year through the existing program, Aurora Sinai will now double the number of patients they see annually to better accommodate individuals returning to the community - changing the lives of many patients affected by chronic health conditions and enhancing their physical well-being and life expectancy rates as they reenter society.
“Our mission at the Institute is to close equity gaps by providing access to resources and support for justice-impacted individuals,” explains Nyra Jordan, American Family Insurance Social Impact Investment Director. “This partnership is a demonstration of that commitment. Aurora Health is changing lives and we’re grateful to support such important work.”
This gift from The Institute will build on Aurora’s commitment to reversing the harms of mass incarceration and working with formerly detained individuals to bridge health disparity gaps within those impacted communities. The TCN model has a strong focus on hiring individuals who have overcome similar obstacles and unique challenges as the patients they are serving. This concept builds trust between patients and their medical team, increasing the odds of patient follow-up on the care they need post-release.
Dr. Jake Bidwell, Vice President of Aurora University of Wisconsin Medical Group and Wisconsin Medical Education, says the support from The Institute will support Aurora Health Care’s mission to provide transformative care to all members of our communities.
“The patients we touch each day are individuals who face challenges reentering society and are at high risk of negative health outcomes,” said Bidwell. “This program is energizing our society and helping us double our reach to serve the unique needs of this very vulnerable population. We’re building a team of care workers who themselves are from the justice-involved community and know just how difficult tapping back into the employment industry can be.”
You can support programs like Aurora Health’s Returning Citizens initiative. Visit our website to learn how you can make an impact in your community.