East Central Reporter

HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital is engaging with residents of Shelby County, inviting them to participate in a brief survey aimed at identifying vital health concerns within their communities. This initiative will inform the hospital's community health strategies for the forthcoming three years.

Anthony Powers, the Chief Administrative Officer of Good Shepherd Hospital, expressed the hospital's dedication to community engagement, stating, “HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital is committed to listening to the community’s voice as we seek solutions to pressing community needs.” He emphasized, "We look forward to hearing directly from our community so we can work in partnership with them to address identified needs.”

Residents have until May 2 to complete the survey, which can be accessed online. For those preferring paper-based submissions, hard copies are obtainable at both the Shelby County Health Department and Good Shepherd Hospital’s Emergency Department. All survey responses will remain anonymous.

The Affordable Care Act mandates nonprofit hospitals like Good Shepherd to perform a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years. This process aims to pinpoint health priorities in the counties where they operate. The hospitals collaborate with local organizations and stakeholders to establish a Community Health Implementation Plan dedicated to tackling these priorities.

Post-survey, the hospital will review the collected data to identify the principal health priorities and formulate a strategic implementation plan for the next three years. The finalized CHNA report, detailing the identified health priorities, is expected by the end of November 2025.