DARDEN AWARDS

Sentara Cares is an extension of our history of going above and beyond the delivery of medical care and comprehensive services. Sentara works behind the scenes to support underserved populations and numerous community organizations through sponsorships and grants. Sentara’s dedicated team of more than 29,000 employees has donated thousands of volunteer hours to various organizations and initiatives that propel our communities forward. Each year, Sentara also provides hundreds of millions of dollars in uncompensated care in our service regions across the state and donates millions of dollars to local and statewide organizations. Sentara also recently announced the impending launch of a new, innovative model of care focusing on uninsured and Medicaid populations in under-resourced communities across Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.

“Sentara maintains a critical emphasis on social determinants of health, which is why we made addressing them the focal point of the Sentara Cares program. That foresight has allowed us to rise to the real-time challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, forge new partnerships, strengthen long-standing relationships, and marshal resources to build stronger, healthier, more equitable communities,” said Sentara Healthcare President and Chief Executive Officer, Howard P. Kern. “A deep commitment to the communities we serve has long been a part of Sentara’s DNA, and the recent pandemic has made this commitment more vital than ever.”

Sentara and Optima Health, in partnership with Truist, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, recently implemented a statewide initiative to bolster Virginia’s emergency food support system during the pandemic and beyond. The “We Care” COVID-19 Virginia Emergency Food Support Plan has provided over 200,000 free food boxes containing meals and nourishment to families in need. Since the onset of the pandemic, Sentara has supported more than 550 community COVID-19 vaccination clinics, registering 30,000+ volunteer hours. The team administered nearly 200,000 vaccinations, with 43 percent of those vaccines going to minority populations.
Through the Sentara Cares program, Sentara also continues to provide support for important community activities and causes that enhance the health and well-being of all individuals and the quality of life enjoyed by everyone in our community. This includes cultural programs, educational enrichments, recreational features and community assets that are a part of the fabric of a healthy life and vibrant community.

Additionally, Sentara’s Diversity and Inclusion program and Health Equity department work together to form essential partnerships with key community organizations. This currently includes collaborating with local community and faith-based leaders to offer services and educational opportunities to people in underserved communities.