At Providence, our care extends far beyond the walls of our hospitals and deep into our communities.

Each year, the not-for-profit health organization provides hundreds of millions of dollars in community health services such as accessibility to essential medical care and resources, community hub centers and more.

In 2024, Providence, often working with community partners, contributed $437 million in programs, charity care, unpaid costs of Medicare and MediCal across Southern California according to the Annual Report to Our Communities, published on Wednesday.

“Providence’s commitment to serve all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable, extends beyond the walls of our ministries,” said Laureen Driscoll, chief executive of Providence South Division, serving all California operations. “Across California, we partner with like-hearted organizations to help ensure our communities have access to care, food, shelter and other critical resources.”

These community benefit services are based on three-year assessments that determine individual community needs.

The Annual Report details contributions in Southern California:

•  Community health improvement and strategic partnerships: $38.4 million
• Health professions education and research: $2.5 million Subsidized health services: $5.5 million Free and discounted care for uninsured and underinsured: $50.1 million
• Unpaid costs of Medicaid and other government programs: $340 million

Included in the report are brief stories on the impacts of Providence.

In southern Los Angeles County and in Orange County, Providence and Northgate Markets are meeting community members where they are. Through a partnership called to Mas Vida, Mas Salud! (More Life, More Health!), the organizations are working to address health inequities in communities with predominantly low-income, uninsured and underinsured Latinx and Black individuals.

In 2024, health screenings, education and/or resources were provided to more than 1,100 people across Southern California. The partnership also provided 325 families with food during the holidays through its food drives.

Additionally, in the San Fernando Valley and the South Bay regions, the Community Public Health Team (CPHT) ushers in a new era of health care delivered directly to individuals’ doorsteps.

In partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Providence community health workers have knocked on more than 8,000 doors across the region, asking residents one simple question, “What do you need?”

The project provides doorstep deliveries for essential items such as medications, groceries and clothes.

“We’re creating a model of health care where we come to them instead of them coming to us,” Stephanie Bermudez, community health supervisor said.

In Orange County, Providence Mission Hospital collaborates with local family resource centers to provide vital support and resources to underserved, uninsured and underinsured residents.

 To meet their goal in improving access to care, the centers offer a range of programs that help community members navigate the health care system and access culturally responsive care.

“Our main goal is for community members to come to our centers and have all their needs met,” Hilda Santana Heredia, supervisor, Community Services said.

“We are bound by our vision of Health for a Better World to care for all. Our team of community health caregivers partners with other organizations and individuals to identify and remove barriers to health,” Kenya Beckmann shared, chief philanthropy and health equity officer for the Providence South Division. “We are grateful for the expertise of our partners to meet our shared goal of building healthier communities.”

Ed. Note: The above information was provided to KHTS by Providence.

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