- HSHS Wisconsin

HSHS Wisconsin, 2025 Community Benefits

Free Stroke Screenings Help Community Members Take Charge of Their Health

Strokes don’t just happen to older individuals - they can occur at any age and across all backgrounds. However, an estimated 80 percent of strokes are preventable. That’s why HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and Prevea Health offered free community stroke screenings in FY24, giving community members the tools they need to understand their personal risk factors and take steps toward prevention.

The screenings were conducted by a registered nurse from HSHS St. Vincent Hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Center. Each participant received a personalized evaluation that included: • Blood pressure and pulse check • Fasting cholesterol and glucose (blood sugar) screening • Review of stroke risk history • Stroke education tailored to their individual risk factors In FY24, two free stroke screening clinics were offered and attended by a total of 59 individuals. By attending, individuals gained knowledge about their health status and left with guidance on reducing their personal stroke risk.

Free stroke screenings reflect HSHS St. Vincent Hospital’s ongoing commitment to community health and align with priorities identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), including chronic disease prevention and health education. By offering this accessible, no-cost service, the hospital provided a critical opportunity to help reduce financial barriers and raise awareness for stroke prevention.

Financial Assistance Made Accessible: Supporting Hmong-Speaking Patients at HSHS

Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay. An important aspect of this commitment is the health system’s Financial Assistance Program, which offers support to patients who are uninsured, underinsured or facing financial hardship.

To ensure that language is not a barrier to care, HSHS has translated financial assistance information into Hmong, helping Hmong-speaking patients fully understand the support available to them. Wisconsin is home to the third-largest Hmong population in the United States, with growing concentrations in HSHS service areas such as Green Bay and Sheboygan. By providing financial assistance information in Hmong, HSHS addressed a key barrier to care and continues to promote equity for all members of the communities we serve. Patients who may have struggled to navigate complex forms or understand eligibility requirements can now access information in their native language, empowering them to make informed decisions.

As HSHS continues to monitor community needs through its 2025 – 2027 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), efforts like translating financial assistance information into Hmong demonstrate a proactive commitment to removing barriers and promoting health equity. Through these initiatives, HSHS is making meaningful progress toward a health care system where everyone can access the support and services they need to thrive.

HSHS Community Connect: Connecting Patients to Local Resources

**HSHS Community Connect helps patients and community members access free or reduced-cost programs and services.**

Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) has launched HSHS Community Connect, an online portal designed to help patients and community members access free or reduced-cost programs and services. By addressing needs beyond medical care, the tool supports healthier, more stable lives across Wisconsin and Illinois.

ntegrated with Epic, Community Connect allows HSHS care teams to quickly refer patients to local resources, including food pantries, housing and shelter, transportation, baby items, personal safety, financial aid and medical or dental care. Patients can also explore resources themselves through MyChart or at www.hshs.org/connect. The portal was created in response to findings from HSHS’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), which highlighted challenges such as food insecurity, lack of housing, limited transportation, and access to care: all key social determinants of health that affect overall well-being.

“At HSHS, our Mission is to care for the whole person - body, mind and spirit,” said Kim Luz-Mobley, M.S., C.H.E.S., HSHS System Executive Director of Community Health. “Community Connect allows us to link patients with the support they need to overcome barriers and thrive.”

Funded by local Foundation donors, Community Connect reflects HSHS’s commitment to extending care beyond the hospital and improving community health outcomes. This FY24 effort was brought to life through cross-functional collaboration between Community Benefit, Care Management, IT and others.

As HSHS continues to monitor evolving needs through its 2025 - 2027 CHNA, Community Connect will remain a key resource in addressing social and economic challenges that impact health.