Serving the health and well-being of our communities extends far beyond the walls of our hospitals and wellness centers. Through outreach efforts, partnerships and volunteer service, Alameda Health System (AHS) employees bring health education, wellness resources and preventive care information directly to the people we serve.
“We foster strong relationships with community partners who support our patients and their families with resources and services they need to stay healthy,” said Louise Nakada, manager of community engagement in Public Affairs and Community Engagement (PACE). “We continually look for ways we can support and sponsor community events and programs that benefit our diverse community.”
Throughout August, AHS employees volunteered at several events, including the Chinatown Health Fair in Oakland, the Davis Street Health Fair in San Leandro and the 46th Annual Holistic Health Fair at Allen Temple Baptist Church.
Whether at neighborhood health fairs or local celebrations, volunteers shared preventive care information, connected residents with AHS services and helped make resources more accessible through educational activities and conversations.
In addition to promoting wellness at community events, employees also helped local students prepare for a successful school year through the annual AHS Backpack Drive. Each AHS facility adopted a school in Alameda County and donated backpacks and school supplies, helping students start the year ready to learn.
One example of this effort came from Newark Wellness, which adopted Schilling Elementary School. Employees donated more than 50 backpacks and hundreds of school supplies to help students begin the year with confidence. The drive was led by Michelle Binasia, practice manager at Newark Wellness, who inspired staff participation and coordinated the collection.
“This event reflects the heart of our AHS mission: caring, healing, teaching, and serving all, said Binasia. “By supporting local schools, we help remove barriers for children and families who may be facing difficult choices and send a clear message that we see them, we care about them, and we are invested in their future.”
Good health starts in communities, and AHS remains committed to improving the health and well-being of our neighbors through service, partnerships and volunteerism.
AHS employees and their families are invited to continue that tradition by participating in upcoming events, including the Oakland Pride Parade on Sunday, August 16, the Oakland Chinatown StreetFest on Sunday, August 23, and a volunteer opportunity at the Alameda County Community Food Bank on Saturday, September 12.
For more information or to participate in these and other upcoming community events, please contact the PACE department at PACE@alamedahealthsystem.org.