Premera Social Impact

Well. Beyond.

This is the story of how Premera Blue Cross and our partners worked to break down barriers and improve the health of historically underserved communities.

Episodes

1

Introducing Well. Beyond.

4m

Paul Hollie, Head of Social Impact, and Kitti Cramer, Executive Vice President, share how Premera enhanced our Social Impact program to expand care and resources to communities throughout Washington and Alaska.

2

A Hub for Healing

4m

When the number of substance-exposed newborns rose dramatically in her town, Tricia Hughes rallied her network of healthcare colleagues to create a solution. Maddie’s Place in Spokane, Wash., now provides a safe haven for newborns with prenatal substance exposure to receive direct care while parents are connected to community resources.
3

A New Path for Nursing Education

3m

Cities across Washington are impacted by a statewide nursing shortage, but it’s especially felt in rural communities. Columbia Basin College in Richland, Wash., along with three other colleges, responded to a bottleneck in nursing education by creating a program that gives nurses providing basic care the opportunity to earn advanced certifications and improve the health of patients in their communities.
4

A Voice for Youth

4m

Youth experiencing homelessness in Anchorage, Alaska, had few options for services and support. In response, VOA Alaska used a housing-first approach to give youth stability, connect them with behavioral health care, and provide skills training — all contributing to a life of self-sufficiency and independence.
5

Shattering Stigma

4m

Fear and misunderstanding can make it difficult to get the right support for children with prenatal substance exposure (PSE). Wonderland Hope RISING Clinic in Bothell, Wash., created the first-ever clinic in the state that provides specialized services for children and families dealing with PSE.

6

Recruiting Alaska Native Nurses (RRANN)

4m

Alaska Natives who receive their degree in nursing are likely to return to their communities and provide culturally supportive care; however, they can encounter many barriers while at school. To address these challenges, University of Alaska Anchorage launched the RRANN program to provide students with individualized support and cultivate a sense of community as they earn their degrees away from home.

7

Health Begins with Home

3m

People experiencing homelessness and facing mental health issues often do not have access to adequate care. To help address this, Housing Hope in Everett, Wash., launched HopeWorks Station, offering housing that provides on-location behavioral health counseling and employment pathways for residents.

8

Tools in Every Hand

4m

A lack of infrastructure and technology in rural Alaska health clinics can lead to limited services and a lower quality of care for patients. When transportation challenges kept residents in the village of Nunapitchuk, Alaska, from accessing the care they needed, The Alaska Community Foundation delivered a fleet of new, all-terrain vehicles.