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accessHealthNews.net
September 2024
Volume 10 | Issue No. 88
In the heart of low-income, rural commu-
nities, and communities of color, commu-
nity health workers (CHWs) are building
bridges to better health. As trusted advo-
cates, navigators, and educators, they're
breaking down barriers and empowering
people to take control of their well-being,
especially in populations experiencing lim-
ited access to health care and health dis-
parities.
Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (Sam
Rodgers), under the guidance of leaders
like behavioral health director Dr. Manuel
Solano, has become a trailblazer in com-
munity health by establishing Missouri's first
community health worker (CHW) program
within a Federally Qualified Health Center
(FQHC). Its innovative program has grown
significantly, reflecting the importance of
CHWs as vital connectors between clinical
settings and the communities they serve.
By addressing social drivers of health and
reducing barriers to care, the CHW pro-
gram at Sam Rodgers plays a crucial role
in advancing health equity.
The Evolution of the CHW at Sam Rodgers
The CHW role at Sam Rodgers has evolved
from its early beginnings when staff were
informally supporting patients as casework-
ers, clinical navigators, and advocates.
"We had support teams within the organi-
zation for nearly 15 years, performing roles
that eventually evolved into what we now
recognize as community health workers,"
Dr. Solano said. The transition formally rec-
ognizing these roles as CHWs began over
a decade ago, when the Mid-America Re-
gional Council (MARC) identified the need
for dedicated CHWs, and Sam Rodgers
quickly became a leader in professionaliz-
ing these roles.
CHWs at Sam Rodgers are now recognized
for their essential contributions in providing
direct services, support, and counseling.
Dr. Solano emphasized that the program's
success is rooted in Sam Rodgers' commit-
ment to continually evolving the CHW role
beyond traditional boundaries to meet the
needs of the community.
"CHWs are not nurses, clinical providers, or interpreters. They
can assist with finding appointments or connecting patients to
resources, but they are not there to provide clinical care,"
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- Dr. Manuel Solano
