Community Outreach Meets Primary Care

Chase Rowland knows a thing or two about engaging hard-to-reach people in the community.

As a member of the Emergency Preparedness team during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chase learned that trust and access can be significant barriers to health care—revelations that continue to shape his work.

Now serving as HHF's Community Outreach Coordinator, Chase believes in the impact of meeting people where they are, whether that's at a church, a community center, or a doctor's office.

Chase was recently embedded into two downtown primary care practices, where he connects with patients to assess their social determinants of health.

As an added member of the care team, he provides immediate support for critical needs—such as housing, food, and behavioral health care—while also making referrals and connecting patients to longer-term resources, including workforce training and stable housing options.

This approach is made possible through the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care, a division of UPMC Health Plan. Their research and leadership have helped advance innovative care models, including the integration of a Community Outreach Coordinator directly into primary care offices in Erie.

"We focus on helping people meet their basic needs first," said Rowland, "Then, we act as a consistent presence, building trust and helping them begin to climb the ladder, rung by rung, until they reach a point of stability."

Each patient's needs are different, but Chase takes the time to learn about those unique circumstances and offer individualized support.

Embedding a community outreach coordinator directly into primary care practices reflects a broader shift toward whole-person care. It not only better supports patients, but also creates a more effective, sustainable health care system. It’s a model that recognizes health doesn’t end with a diagnosis—and that meaningful progress happens when care teams have the time, tools, and relationships to address the full picture of a patient's life.