In 2009, DHI funded 10 planning teams to find ways to reduce death or disability from specific diseases or disorders prevalent in the community. Teams were co-lead and represented by community representatives (see DHI Partners) and Duke researchers and clinicians. Ten projects teams working with the DHI Oversight Committee (see DHI teams & Oversight Committee) identified 7 common elements that could improve the health and health care delivery in Durham, including:
- Increase health care coordination and eliminate barriers to services and resources.
- Integrate social, medical, and mental health services.
- Expand health-related services provided in group settings.
- Leverage information technology.
- Use “social hubs” such as places of worship, community centers, salons and barbershops as sites for clinical and social services and information.
- Increase local access to nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives.
- Use traditional marketing methods to influence health behavior.
Based on these findings, DHI implementation activities have three main goals:
- Improve health outcomes of Durham residents.
- Increase access to health care in each Durham neighborhood.
- Promote appropriate use of Durham/Duke Health Care delivery system.
Funding for the DHI planning projects came from an institutional commitment of $1 million from Duke University, support from the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA), which is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and in-kind contributions from numerous community organizations.
Former staff
Suzanne Schneider was the project leader for the Duke Center for Community Research. She directed all programmatic and operational aspects of Durham Health Innovations. Schneider is a medical anthropologist with over 15 years of experience working with diverse communities in a range of health improvement projects in the U.S. and abroad.
Kenisha Bethea was Program Coordinator for Durham Health Innovations until July 2015. She directed all programmatic and operational aspects of Durham Health Innovations. Bethea was Associate Director of Community Programs for Susan G. Komen, NC Triangle to the Coast Affiliate.
Debbie Royster was a community health organizer with Durham Health Innovations serving Southwest Central Durham neighborhoods. Royster began grassroots community outreach with Clean Energy Durham as a Community Outreach Specialist for Southwest Central Durham and worked for over 15 years in Human Resources and Customer Service.
Humberto Rodriguez was a community health organizer with Durham Health Innovations serving the Hispanic community in Durham. Humberto has served as a community outreach specialist and as a mental health professional to provide motivation, support and education for obese populations with severe and chronic mental illness.
