Evara Health and Primary Health Solutions Selected for Innovative Emergency Preparedness and Care Delivery Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Advocates for Community Health (ACH) is pleased to announce the recipients of the third phase of the ACH Community Health Entrepreneur Challenge, supported by UnitedHealthcare Community & State. Following a competitive application process, ACH selected two community health centers who will be awarded $50,000 each to strengthen community health center resilience, improve patient care, and address emerging challenges facing underserved communities.
The selected projects are:
EvaraReady: Hurricane Continuity of Care Program
Evara Health | Florida
Evara Health’s EvaraReady program proposes a holistic, patient-centered, and data-driven approach to caring for high-risk patients before, during, and after hurricanes and other emergencies.
Built around a three-phase model called Prepare, Activate, Recover, the initiative will leverage electronic health record (EHR) data to identify vulnerable patients and proactively connect them with care coordinators and Community Health Workers. Patients will receive preparedness information before a storm, remain connected through a simplified communication tree during emergencies, and receive support to address missed appointments and ongoing health needs after the crisis has passed.
The review committee agreed with Evara Health’s assessment that the program represents a model that is “scalable, sustainable, and helps the community bounce back stronger.” As extreme weather events become increasingly common across the country, EvaraReady offers a promising framework for ensuring continuity of care for patients who are most vulnerable during disasters.
Drone-Enabled Lab Courier Program
Primary Health Solutions | Ohio
Primary Health Solutions proposed an innovative approach to transporting laboratory specimens through the purchase and pilot deployment of two drones in Butler County, Ohio.
The Drone-Enabled Lab Courier Program seeks to improve the transportation of PCR and other laboratory products while reducing costs associated with traditional courier services, vehicle maintenance, and staff time. Primary Health Solutions estimates the initiative could significantly reduce its approximately $100,000 in annual transportation-related expenses while saving nearly 1,000 staff hours currently devoted to laboratory courier activities.
The project also has important implications for emergency preparedness. During weather events or other emergencies that make road travel difficult or impossible, drone transportation could provide a reliable alternative for moving critical laboratory materials and maintaining access to diagnostic services.
The review committee praised the project’s creative approach and its potential applicability to other community health centers facing transportation and access challenges.
The third Community Health Entrepreneur Challenge received many applications from ACH member health centers across the country. Several themes emerged across submissions that highlight both the challenges facing community health centers and the innovative solutions being developed to address them.
Half of all applications focused on preparing for and responding to weather-related emergencies, including hurricanes, floods, winter storms, and earthquakes. Other common themes included emergency preparedness drills and simulations, the use of health centers as community command centers during crises, support for rural communities, cybersecurity preparedness, and the use of electronic health record data to identify and support vulnerable patients.
“The applications we received demonstrate the extraordinary creativity and commitment of our members and the consistent approach of community health centers as they work to meet the evolving needs of their communities,” said Amanda Pears Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Advocates for Community Health. “Whether preparing for hurricanes in Florida or exploring drone technology in Ohio, these projects reflect the innovative spirit that defines the health center movement. We are proud to support efforts that strengthen community resilience, improve patient outcomes, and generate new ideas that can benefit health centers nationwide.”
The Community Health Entrepreneur Challenge is part of ACH’s ongoing commitment to advancing innovative solutions that improve care delivery and strengthen the nation’s community health center network. Since its inception, the Community Health Entrepreneur Challenge Fund has awarded $2.7 million dollars to seven transformative projects which have improved health outcomes, decreased health disparities, promoted system change, and engaged organizations across multiple sectors, including public, private, government, and community groups.
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About Advocates for Community Health
Advocates for Community Health (ACH) is a membership organization for federally qualified health centers that strives to advance the delivery of health care to underserved populations and to achieve health equity for patients and communities in need. We are committed to working collaboratively to advance well-defined and forward-thinking policies at the national level. By leveraging the wisdom, agility, and innovation of our members, ACH brings bold leadership to drive change in the American healthcare system. To learn more, visit advocatesforcommunityhealth.org.