Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (TMH) conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years to understand healthcare gaps in our area—Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden, and Jefferson counties. This region has over 300,000 residents, but participation in the survey has been low.
Kenya Cardonne from Northeast Tallahassee highlights the importance of community involvement. Local activist groups are stepping in to encourage everyone to fill out the survey and ensure all voices are heard. Dawn Springs, a Community Health Manager at TMH, points out that it only takes about 10 minutes to make a difference in local healthcare.
“Needs change over time,” Springs explains. While TMH collects data from its hospital, it’s not always clear what the community truly requires. The assessment anonymously gathers information on people’s healthcare experiences and the obstacles they face in accessing services.
So far, they’ve received responses from over a thousand residents, but many more are needed. Madalyn Propst, a local neighbor, has examined the previous survey results. She found significant gaps, especially among underrepresented groups in the South Side and Frenchtown areas. “We need to ensure that poorer communities and the unhoused population are heard,” she emphasizes.
Propst is actively involved with the Rising Voices Collective, which aims to increase survey participation. The group has been sharing the survey link at protests and plans to visit underserved communities soon.
Springs appreciates these grassroots efforts. “Sometimes, just sharing the survey link isn’t enough. We need personal outreach to get people to participate,” she notes. Positive changes have already arisen from past assessments, such as new mental health resources at the Apalachee Center.
Gathering data is just the first step. “The goal is to raise awareness about what the data shows and to figure out how we can partner with the community to address these issues,” Springs adds.
For residents, filling out the survey is a chance to impact local legislation and policies. Propst encourages everyone: “If you want your needs reflected in local decisions, participate in the survey.”
The deadline to complete the survey is March 31st, with results expected in the fall.
In summary, your voice matters in shaping the healthcare landscape of our community. Don’t miss the opportunity to contribute.
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