Wayne Memorial Hospital Food Prescription Program

Wayne Memorial Hospital received a three-year Food Insecurity grant from the AllOne Foundation to help patients with food insecurity issues and diagnoses of Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes or COPD.

Through important patient research, Wayne Memorial Hospital and Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers showed there is more to being healthy than going to the doctor. Factors such as low income, food insecurity, a lack of transportation and more can impact how well a person responds to medical treatment.

UP TO 200 PATIENTS TO PARTICIPATE

 In an effort to help individuals with chronic condition better manage their conditions, Wayne Memorial Hospital Community Health Manager and program coordinator Carol Kneier said a nearly $300,000, three-year grant from the AllOne Foundation will help the hospital target these patients for nutritional support, launched in September 2020.

An image of several stacked boxes marked Farm Fresh Vegetables.She said in the first year, 100 patients will be selected for the program, which will include a meeting with a dietitian for a consultation and a weekly box of food designed to provide one healthy meal a day. The patients will receive ongoing support including nutrition education, healthy eating advice and follow up with their doctor.

The program would serve another 150 to 200 people in the subsequent years. Kneier said most of that funding will be used for the purchase of fresh, nutritious and local food. Wayne Memorial Hospital and Wayne Tomorrow! share the goal of addressing the social determinant of health to promote wellness across the community.

Food Prescription Program Launches to Help Chronic Disease Sufferers

The program will first be offered to patients of the Carbondale Family Health Center with expectations of extending to additional WMCHC Family Health Centers in the Honesdale area within the near future. 

 “It is our hope that through outreaches such as the Food Prescription Program complications associated with medical conditions prevalent within our community can be prevented and ultimately result in fewer lengthy hospital stays,” stated Wayne Memorial Hospital CEO David Hoff.


Wayne Memorial Hosptial officials gather around a sample of the types of food patients will receive.

Carol Kneier, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, community health manager at Wayne Memorial Hospital and coordinator of the Food Prescription Program, explained the process. Participants selected based on diagnosis and the need to overcome food insecurity will be given a monthly “staple box” containing basic ingredients required to prepare meals tailored to their disease state. 

STAPLES, VOUCHERS & RECIPES

Grocery vouchers to purchase fresh food such as low fat meats, fruits and vegetables will be distributed along with a packet of over 20 recipes specifically designed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The final component, and according to Kneier one of the most essential, is that patients will meet either in-person or via video conference with a Wayne Memorial Registered Dietitian who will provide education and guidance.

“A great deal of preparation has gone into launching the program,” stated Kneier. “We’re grateful to all members of our team and excited to start a successful beginning to a healthier lifestyle for our participants.”

Photo: Shown in photo are seated, left to right, Sharon Savakinas, PA-C, Carbondale Family Health Center; Ann Marie Kretchik, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC, clinical dietitian, WMH; Carol Kneier, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, community health manager, WMH and coordinator of the Food Prescription Program. Standing, David Hoff, president and CEO, WMH; John Cosgrove, executive director, AllOne Foundation; Frederick Jackson, executive director, WMCHC; and Kenneth Bannon, PA-C, Carbondale Family Health Center.