Unity Center for Behavioral Health receives national honor

Community
Inside Unity Center
Inside Unity Center
Inside Unity Center
Patient artwork hangs on the walls at Unity Center for Behavioral Health in Portland. Unity has been awarded the American Hospital Association’s NOVA Award for hospital-led collaborative efforts that improve community health. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Unity Center for Behavioral Health is one of five centers nationwide to be awarded the American Hospital Association’s NOVA Award for hospital-led collaborative efforts that improve community health.

“Hospitals and health systems continue to reach beyond their four walls to meet the needs of their communities in innovative ways,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “This year’s AHA NOVA honorees demonstrate how the power of partnerships can help to address some of the most challenging and complex issues affecting children, families and communities. These partnerships are truly advancing health in America.”

Unity is a collaboration among Adventist Health, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, and OHSU to provide a coordinated continuum of care for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. The health systems are focused on improving quality and effectiveness of patient care, reducing area emergency department diversion, reducing short-term behavioral health inpatient stays, and improving outcomes through community-based services.

Established in 1993, the AHA NOVA Award recognizes hospitals and health systems for their collaborative efforts toward improving community health. This year’s recipients include Unity; Annapolis Community Health Partnership in Annapolis, Maryland; Enos Park Access to Care Collaborative in Springfield, Illinois; Kids Teaching Kids in Irving, Texas; Healthy Kids Express in St. Louis, Missouri.

The awards will be given July 28 during the AHA’s Leadership Summit in San Diego, California.

 


OHSU Communications
503 494-8231