Boston Medical Center is Leading the Way in Social Impact
The healthcare system is recognizing that true health outcomes require tackling poverty, housing, and education alongside medical treatment
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Key takeaways
The healthcare system is recognizing that true health outcomes require tackling poverty, housing, and education alongside medical treatment
Boston Medical Center (BMC) is at the forefront of health equity and social impact. Its dedicated focus is on addressing social determinants of health and improving outcomes for underserved communities. This emphasis aligns with current trends in healthcare, where social impact and community engagement are becoming increasingly critical.
Its dedicated focus is on addressing social determinants of health and improving outcomes for underserved communities.
In this episode of the “Healthcare Rethink” podcast, host Brian Urban sits down with Sheila Phicil, a Social Innovation Architect at BMC, to discuss the institution's pioneering health equity and social impact efforts. Phicil shares insights into BMC’s Health Equity Accelerator, a program designed to eliminate health disparities and enhance community well-being through innovative strategies and partnerships.
Phicil recounts her journey from a first-generation Haitian American in Orlando to her current role at BMC. She highlights how her early experiences in leadership and community organizing have shaped her approach to addressing health disparities and driving social impact. Her work involves navigating complex social determinants of health and fostering economic mobility for BMC’s diverse patient population.
At BMC, the Health Equity Accelerator aims to close health disparities by geography, race, and other factors. Phicil explains the program’s history and evolution, emphasizing the need for culturally relevant and humble care. She also discusses the role of navigators in connecting patients with essential resources, such as housing, food, and employment support.
Phicil’s vision for the future includes shifting from a charity-based model to an equity-focused approach, where healthcare institutions leverage their resources to empower communities and promote generational well-being. This holistic strategy involves collaborating with various partners, from local organizations to major institutions, to address the multifaceted needs of the community and amplify their social impact.
Shifting from a charity-based model to an equity-focused approach, where healthcare institutions leverage their resources to empower communities and promote generational well-being.
— Sheila Phicil, Social Innovation Architect at Boston Medical Center
About the author
Brian Urban has a deep skill set in health promotion and product development for rare disease and senior populations with Large Health Plans and Specialty Pharmacy. Urban has served as a speaker on such topics for the Alzheimer’s Association, Obediah Cole Prostate Cancer Foundation, Cigna Corp and Utica University Institute for the study of integrative healthcare. Urban has received a Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology-Health Promotion, Masters of Business Administration in Market Development and is currently completing a Masters in Public Health at Dartmouth College. Urban is currently a research-fellow sponsored by a Robert Wood Johnson Grant supporting Utica University public health research in Upstate New York.
