Community Benefits Report

Darlene Jackson (left)

Caring for the Caregiver: Darlene Jackson's Community Benefits Story
Like so many family caregivers, Darlene Jackson is eager and happy to help care for her 87-year-old mother, but knows she can't possibly take on the responsibility alone. Through Sharp HealthCare's Senior Resource Centers, she has found the help, education and resources she needs. 

 

Addressing the Community's Needs
In fiscal year 2012, Sharp provided $305.3 million in unreimbursed community benefits programs and services. This translates to one of every nine dollars of Sharp's net revenue being spent in direct support of the community. Highlights of Sharp's contributions include:

Additionally, many of Sharp's team members individually volunteer their time and expertise to a wide variety of community initiatives and organizations.

Benefits for the Broader Community
More than $2.1 million was contributed to provide the following services:

  • Collaboration with local schools to provide experiences that spark interest in health care careers
  • Community flu vaccination clinics and health screenings 
  • Participation in community health fairs and events addressing the unique needs of San Diegans
  • Participation of Sharp leadership and staff in numerous community organizations, committees and coalitions to improve the health of the community
  • Emergency and disaster planning to protect the health and safety of the San Diego community

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Benefits for Vulnerable Populations
Nearly $2.5 million helped serve the San Diego community by providing:

  • A fund for medications, transportation and other needs to assist patients who cannot afford to pay
  • Community-wide efforts to ensure the safety of seniors in their homes
  • Programming to increase health care access for low-income, uninsured and underserved patients, including San Diego's homeless population and Safety Net patients in the South Bay
  • Contribution of time to Home of Guiding Hands, Stand Down for Homeless Veterans and the San Diego Food Bank through Sharp Lends a Hand 
  • Financial and in-kind support for community clinics to improve health services
  • Funds to provide paid leave time to Sharp employees for volunteer humanitarian service through the Sharp Humanitarian Service Program
  • Transportation for patients to and from medical appointments 

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Health Research, Education and Training Programs
More than $5.8 million helped provide:

  • Education and training programs for medical, nursing and other health care professionals 
  • Sponsorship of health-related programs, classes, professors and clinical experience at San Diego State University; University of California, San Diego; Point Loma Nazarene University; Southwestern College; and other academic institutions
  • Scholarship program for students of the College of Health and Human Services at San Diego State University, as part of the Sharp HealthCare Professional Education and Research Institute
  • Education and support for the professional health care and research communities around evidence-based practices for health care delivery, and effective and responsible research conduct
  • Contribution of outcome-based research studies to enhance industry knowledge and practice of quality health care delivery

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Unreimbursed Medical Care Services
More than $294.8 million was contributed in the following ways:

  • Financial support for onsite workers to process Medi-Cal eligibility forms
  • Uncompensated care for patients who are unable to pay for services 
  • Unreimbursed costs of public programs such as Medi-Cal and Medicare  

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For More Information
The Community Benefits Plan and Report is a testament to the care that Sharp provides to the San Diego community — care that extends above and beyond medical services. To learn more about the positive impact Sharp physicians, nurses, staff and volunteers have on the San Diego community, read the Sharp HealthCare Community Benefits Plan and Report, Fiscal Year 2012. To learn more about Sharp's involvement in the community, visit Community Programs and Health Education.