Each April, the American Public Health Association (APHA) brings communities together across the United States to observe National Public Health Week (April 6-12). This year, the APHA is highlighting the important work being done to improve our daily lives, safeguard our families, improve quality of life and strengthen our communities. It’s also a moment to celebrate the progress we have made and plan the next steps needed for a healthier future.
As a leading healthcare provider in Greater Binghamton, UHS proudly supports this mission by promoting initiatives that foster a healthier community.
What is public health?
Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through organized efforts and informed choices, giving everyone a safe place to live, learn, work, and play. Every day, public health professionals are working, often behind the scenes, to keep people healthy. They are responsible for tracking disease outbreaks and helping communities curb the spread of disease, setting safety standards to protect workers, developing school nutrition programs to ensure children have access to healthy food, and so much more.
While healthcare treats those who are already sick or injured, public health aims to help prevent people from getting sick or injured in the first place. Public health isn’t about treating any one individual, but entire populations – you, your family, your friends and everyone in your community.
UHS works closely with public health experts and community partners to uplift the people we serve. Beyond providing the best clinical care, UHS’ commitment to public health prioritizes patient well-being at every level, ensuring everyone is given the opportunity to thrive.
Celebrating the work of UHS Population Health and Team UHS
Every day, the dedicated team of healthcare professionals at UHS cares for those who are sick or injured. But sometimes, healing requires more than medical treatment—it calls for a deeper level of support to help patients live healthier, more fulfilling lives. That’s where the UHS Population Health team comes in.
“The care coordination from the Population Health team is all about making sure we are caring for our patients and providing what they need most,” said Annie DePugh, director of Population Health Management at UHS. “We want to make sure the UHS Values are embodied every day in the care we provide.”
With growing demand for these essential services, the Population Health team works each day to meet the needs of the patients and community members. The team operates the in-house UHS Food Pantry to address food insecurity and provide meals for patients in need. Since launching the pantry in April 2024, it has served over 2,615 households in Greater Binghamton. The team partners with local organizations, like CHOW and the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, to strengthen efforts to fight food insecurity in our community. Just recently, the UHS Population Health team has partnered with the Regional Food Bank to begin serving patients and families from UHS Delaware Valley Hospital and surrounding Delaware County.
The Population Health team also helps patients secure necessary funds for critical housing needs, including rent, security deposits, or housing projects. No matter how big or small the need is, the UHS Population Health team is committed to providing support.
“Every day, we see how needing basic things like food and housing can leave a lasting impact on a patient’s overall health,” said Ms. DePugh. “Our team works to make sure we can provide them with those building blocks and help them live a healthier life.”
The Population Health team truly embodies our UHS values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork and Innovation, consistently going the extra mile to care for patients. Beyond the Population Health team, UHS employees across departments and roles are dedicated to protecting the health and safety of the patients and communities we serve. The remarkable collaboration between clinical and non-clinical staff ensures our community can feel happy and healthy in all aspects of life.
UHS employees proudly stand with the communities and patients we serve by championing community engagement year-round. Team members regularly participate in high-impact events such as food drives, 5Ks and fundraising walks, and free screening clinics that raise vital awareness and support for causes deeply rooted in Greater Binghamton.
As we recognize National Public Health Week, UHS remains committed to strengthening the systems and community partnerships that keep all of us healthy. If you or someone you know is struggling with food insecurity, housing issues or other challenges, please let your healthcare provider know at your next appointment. UHS also publishes an annual Community Impact Report that details our ongoing commitment to fostering a vibrant and healthy community throughout the year.
Together, we can ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
