Bridging Health Care and Faith

Baptist Health Care in Pensacola, Fla., created the Faith Health Network in 2017 to serve as a bridge between the health system and people who attend faith-based organizations in surrounding communities.

“We understand that there’s an intersection between where faith and health meet,” said Joy Powell, Baptist’s director of community health.

Guided by Baptist’s mission of helping people throughout life’s journey, the FHN works to develop and strengthen relationships in the community through congregational volunteers and dedicated health care professionals, building trust so people can feel empowered to seek and receive the care they need. Congregations partner with Baptist and other community organizations, and their members can access a network of health services, education and resources, including for preventive care and follow-up treatment.

“Once those barriers of fear and distrust are broken down, then we find that patients and members of our community are more willing to access health care in the right way,” said Mark Faulkner, Baptist’s president and CEO.

Tyler Burns, pastor of Rise City Church in Pensacola and an FHN congregational representative, observed: “I don’t think you can talk about health care, especially in the context of people of color — marginalized groups — and not talk about the disparities and the lack of equity when it comes to health care. And the Faith Health Network has given us tremendous resources to be able to navigate those divides.”

Watch a video about Baptist Health Care’s Faith Health Network and its impact.

Learn more about the Faith Health Network.