SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Amc and Fqhcs: Collaboration to Enhance Care of Underserved Communities

Pdf Summary

This report describes a collaboration between Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM), an Academic Medical Center, and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to improve care for underserved communities in a medically underserved area.<br /><br />AMCs often serve vulnerable populations but may struggle to provide primary care sustainably. JHM sought an FQHC partner to create an integrated model that would increase access, address social determinants of health, and support the academic mission of teaching and research. Local FQHCs were invited to apply, with partnership requirements including leased JHM providers, shared electronic medical records, and continued support for education and research.<br /><br />A large non-hospital primary care clinic offering adult and pediatric care, OB/GYN, dental, and pharmacy services was selected. The clinic transitioned to an FQHC while maintaining key ties to JHM:<br />- Providers and staff remained employed by JHM and were leased to the FQHC<br />- The site used the Hopkins Epic EMR<br />- Resident training and Hopkins-sponsored research continued<br />- Access expanded to additional Medicaid managed care and uninsured patients<br />- Eleven new roles were added to strengthen wraparound services, including dietetics, diabetes education, nursing support, care management, community health work, behavioral health, substance use counseling, and family medicine providers<br /><br />The partnership improved revenue through FQHC billing and was further supported by AMC grants and outside funding for COVID-19, HIV, and behavioral health initiatives. Importantly, the clinic preserved its teaching and research functions, creating a strong community-based training environment.<br /><br />Overall, the authors conclude that AMC-FQHC partnerships can provide financially sustainable, high-quality primary care for underserved patients while maintaining the tripartite academic mission. Future work will track trainee outcomes, expand research, and identify best practices for other academic centers.

Asset Subtitle

Sarah J. Conway

Meta Tag

Author List Jacob Murphy, Jonathan Efron, Sarah J. Conway

Category Innovations

Concept Academic Medical Center

Concept Federally Qualified Health Center

Concept Medically Underserved Area

Concept Chronic Disease

Concept Behavioral Health

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Johns Hopkins Medicine

Presenting Author Sarah J. Conway

Track Value in Hospital Medicine

Keywords

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Federally Qualified Health Center

academic medical center

underserved communities

primary care access

social determinants of health

Medicaid managed care

electronic medical records

resident training

community-based care

Academic Medical Center

Federally Qualified Health Center

Medically Underserved Area

Chronic Disease

Behavioral Health