Community and Academic HealthCare Partnerships: Challenges & Opportunities

The UNCG School of Nursing Health Centers, located within Housing Authority Properties, provide clinical educational opportunities through service, research and scholarship for graduate and undergraduate students in preparation for professional nursing practice within a global community. As part of the School of Nursing's commitment to serve the greater community, the Health Centers use the talents of the faculty and students to provide preventive healthcare education and services that are holistic and culturally sensitive to an underserved population, currently older adults. It is the intent of the Nursing Health Centers to offer free preventative and screening health care services to any resident that attends the clinic. Financing for these services must be obtained through philanthropic measures. In 2009, much needed funding was obtained through a partnership from the Well•Spring Retirement Community. The addition of the partnership created an advisory board with members from a cross section of the community. Diverging ideas from members from profit sectors require education in recognizing the benefits of offering free care as opposed to sliding scale care. It is also important for faculty members to continue to maintain the academic freedom to create the programs and services that are the most beneficial, even if they are controversial. Collaborating and coordinating health care services from the philosophical standpoint of social justice for all who seek care can be challenging. The Housing Authority Director has stated “the addition of Well•Spring to our partnership with UNCG enhances the health of housing authority residents and improves their quality of life.”