UnityPoint Health-Meriter - Madison, 2025 Community Benefits
- Charity Care/Free Clinics
- Growing and Developing Our Health Care Workforce
- Hospital-Supported Initiatives
Health Program Van Brings Healthcare to Homeless Individuals
UnityPoint Health – Meriter’s Health Outreach Program has expanded its ability to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity in Dane County through the launch of a new customized outreach van. This mobile resource is designed to enhance the program’s flexibility and reach, enabling staff to meet people where they are and help promote access to essential healthcare services, and other much needed items like gloves, socks etc.
Operating under the Street Medicine model, the Health Outreach Program provides on-site support for individuals who may face barriers to accessing traditional healthcare settings. The team offers assistance for acute and chronic health concerns, mental health needs, and recovery support after illness or surgery. Services also include health education, screenings such as blood pressure checks, and guidance in navigating the broader healthcare system. In addition to health services, the program helps connect individuals with local social support resources, such as food pantries, and respite care.
By serving as a bridge to longer-term care and stability, the Health Outreach Program aims to support the health and well-being of some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.
Operating under the Street Medicine model, the Health Outreach Program provides on-site support for individuals who may face barriers to accessing traditional healthcare settings. The team offers assistance for acute and chronic health concerns, mental health needs, and recovery support after illness or surgery. Services also include health education, screenings such as blood pressure checks, and guidance in navigating the broader healthcare system. In addition to health services, the program helps connect individuals with local social support resources, such as food pantries, and respite care.
By serving as a bridge to longer-term care and stability, the Health Outreach Program aims to support the health and well-being of some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.
Vel Philips Partnership
UnityPoint Health – Meriter is a proud supporter and sponsor of the Madison Public Schools Foundation Adopt-A-School program, with Vel Philips Memorial High School. Through this program, our organization provides speakers, opportunities for education field trips, and job explorations for high school students. Our organization also provides financial and material support. This program also offers our team members community engagement opportunities and the ability to play a role in and invest in potential future community healthcare workers.
Each year, we offer 10-20 students the opportunity to participate in a Healthcare Career fair. This career fair features a variety of presenters across different disciplines in healthcare, including physical therapy, surgery and sonography. Each presentation includes hands-on activities and time for questions about working in healthcare or specific job paths available.
In addition to the healthcare career fair, 90 VPMHS students attended a field trip to Meiter Hospital and the Center for Healthcare Education and Simulation (CHES), that enabled both students and teachers to make connections and real world applications of what is being taught in healthcare training. This partnership largely focuses on healthcare career pathways, however Meriter provides nearly $30,000 to the after-school meal program. During the 2023-24 school year, this funding helped serve the largest number of students to date, providing nearly 7,000 meals throughout the school year.
Each year, we offer 10-20 students the opportunity to participate in a Healthcare Career fair. This career fair features a variety of presenters across different disciplines in healthcare, including physical therapy, surgery and sonography. Each presentation includes hands-on activities and time for questions about working in healthcare or specific job paths available.
In addition to the healthcare career fair, 90 VPMHS students attended a field trip to Meiter Hospital and the Center for Healthcare Education and Simulation (CHES), that enabled both students and teachers to make connections and real world applications of what is being taught in healthcare training. This partnership largely focuses on healthcare career pathways, however Meriter provides nearly $30,000 to the after-school meal program. During the 2023-24 school year, this funding helped serve the largest number of students to date, providing nearly 7,000 meals throughout the school year.
Off the floor into a bed program
UnityPoint Health – Meriter has partnered with Steinhafels Furniture to support residents of The Triangle, a public housing community in Madison that serves individuals with low incomes, many of whom are medically vulnerable or have recently experienced homelessness. Recognizing the critical role that quality sleep plays in overall health, the initiative is focused on delivering new mattresses to residents who may otherwise be sleeping on the floor or on temporary bedding. Through this ongoing collaboration, beds are being delivered monthly to help improve comfort, rest, and well-being for those living at The Triangle.
To date Meriter has provided a total of 163 beds, including 11 beds so far in 2025. The effort reflects UnityPoint Health – Meriter’s continued commitment to addressing health needs both inside and outside the hospital, by helping individuals create more stable and supportive living environments.
To date Meriter has provided a total of 163 beds, including 11 beds so far in 2025. The effort reflects UnityPoint Health – Meriter’s continued commitment to addressing health needs both inside and outside the hospital, by helping individuals create more stable and supportive living environments.
