SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital - Fond du Lac, 2025 Community Benefits
Vital New Transportation Program Expands Access to Care in Fond du Lac
Access to reliable transportation is a critical, yet often overlooked, factor in ensuring equitable health care. More than a quarter of adults age 25 and older in the United States experience transportation insecurity, meaning they are unable to move from place to place in a safe or timely manner, according to a University of Michigan study. Recognizing this, SSM Health Samaritan Clinic, based in Fond du Lac, launched a vital new initiative to support patients facing non-emergent transportation challenges. The clinic directly assists patients in need of transportation to SSM Health services, offering short-term transit passes and connecting individuals with community and insurance-based resources. This program is more than a logistical upgrade - it’s a lifeline.
"Transportation barriers contribute to missed appointments, delayed treatments, and increased emergency room visits, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations,” according to Missy Tate, SSM Health Clinical Operations Manager “By centralizing transportation support through the Samaritan Clinic, SSM Health ensures that patients receive personalized assistance tailored to their financial and medical needs.”
The initiative also strengthens partnerships with community programs like the Fond du Lac Area United Way’s Ride United, which has been instrumental in reducing transportation barriers since 2018. With SSM Health partially sponsoring Ride United, this collaboration ensures that existing resources are maximized and tracked as part of the organization’s community benefit efforts. Importantly, this new system enhances efficiency and accountability. The hospital information desk continues to coordinate ride scheduling. Staff are also encouraged to proactively ask patients if they “have a ride,” fostering a more inclusive and supportive care environment.
By addressing transportation as a social determinant of health, SSM Health is taking a bold step toward improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in care. “This program is not just about getting patients to appointments,” Tate explains. “It’s about removing barriers, restoring dignity, and ensuring that no one is left behind due to lack of access.”
"Transportation barriers contribute to missed appointments, delayed treatments, and increased emergency room visits, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations,” according to Missy Tate, SSM Health Clinical Operations Manager “By centralizing transportation support through the Samaritan Clinic, SSM Health ensures that patients receive personalized assistance tailored to their financial and medical needs.”
The initiative also strengthens partnerships with community programs like the Fond du Lac Area United Way’s Ride United, which has been instrumental in reducing transportation barriers since 2018. With SSM Health partially sponsoring Ride United, this collaboration ensures that existing resources are maximized and tracked as part of the organization’s community benefit efforts. Importantly, this new system enhances efficiency and accountability. The hospital information desk continues to coordinate ride scheduling. Staff are also encouraged to proactively ask patients if they “have a ride,” fostering a more inclusive and supportive care environment.
By addressing transportation as a social determinant of health, SSM Health is taking a bold step toward improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in care. “This program is not just about getting patients to appointments,” Tate explains. “It’s about removing barriers, restoring dignity, and ensuring that no one is left behind due to lack of access.”
Empowering women, strengthening communities
The partnership between SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital and New Beginnings Pregnancy Care Center in Fond du Lac is more than a financial contribution - it’s a lifeline for women and children in crisis. In addition to a $10,000 community benefit donation, SSM Health is helping New Beginnings continue its mission of providing safe, supportive housing and essential services to pregnant and parenting women facing difficult circumstances in other ways. SSM Health and New Beginnings collaborate to ensure that needs are met in the first month post-partum, thanks to prenatal visit referrals from SSM Health obstetricians.
“The first month of supplies for a newborn is crucial for new moms as it provides essential items to ensure the baby's comfort, safety, and well-being,” according to Loraine Carley, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital Manager- Women’s Health: Inpatient OB/GYN. “This can take on many forms, like clothing, breastfeeding supplies and support, postpartum care supplies, and more.”
New Beginnings provides a nurturing environment where women can heal, grow, and prepare for independent living. Through access to prenatal and postnatal care, parenting education, life skills training, and emotional support, residents are empowered to break cycles of poverty, addiction, and instability.
“Now more than ever, advocating for healthy families by protecting vulnerable women and their unborn children is essential,” according to Kelly Rust, executive director of New Beginnings.
The collaboration with SSM Health ensures that these women receive the care and encouragement they need to thrive.
“The first month of supplies for a newborn is crucial for new moms as it provides essential items to ensure the baby's comfort, safety, and well-being,” according to Loraine Carley, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital Manager- Women’s Health: Inpatient OB/GYN. “This can take on many forms, like clothing, breastfeeding supplies and support, postpartum care supplies, and more.”
New Beginnings provides a nurturing environment where women can heal, grow, and prepare for independent living. Through access to prenatal and postnatal care, parenting education, life skills training, and emotional support, residents are empowered to break cycles of poverty, addiction, and instability.
“Now more than ever, advocating for healthy families by protecting vulnerable women and their unborn children is essential,” according to Kelly Rust, executive director of New Beginnings.
The collaboration with SSM Health ensures that these women receive the care and encouragement they need to thrive.
