Congratulations to Jessica Marcum of the Umatilla County Fire District in Oregon! Jessica is our MIH Week Champion for Social Determinants and Health Disparities.

Built on a strong partnership between Good Shepherd Medical Center and Umatilla County Fire District #1, this Community Paramedicine program serves more than 90,000 residents across 5,500 square miles in Umatilla and Morrow counties. By uniting hospital resources with EMS expertise, the team bridges gaps in care, connects patients to essential services, and strengthens access in even the most rural areas.

One powerful example: the team was contacted by the hospital’s wound care center about a homeless patient with a wound vac who had missed critical follow-up care. Without reliable phone access, transportation, or a place to charge their equipment, the patient was at risk of infection and repeated 911 use.

Jessica located the patient in a local park, arranged same-day wound care, coordinated transportation, connected them with mental health and social services for clothing and ongoing support, and helped secure temporary housing. Since then, the patient’s 911 use has dropped significantly, infections have decreased, and they’ve reestablished stability through community partnerships.

Our MIH Week Champion for Home Safety and Falls Prevention is Melissa Butscher!

Operating across seven states and twelve markets, QuikMedic | Mobile Urgent Care's growing Mobile Integrated Health & Community Paramedicine (MIH/CP) program delivers coordinated, in-home, and community-based care to thousands of patients each year.

At the heart of it all is Operations Supervisor Melissa Butscher, whose leadership ensures that every visit reflects what MIH is all about.

Under Melissa’s guidance, field clinicians deliver urgent care at home, manage chronic conditions, support patients after hospital discharge, and provide preventive interventions that ease pressure on emergency departments and hospitals.

One story stands out: patients struggling with frequent falls.

After the team’s intervention, some under Melissa's care remained fall-free for over six months, 911 calls stopped, and patients regained confidence to live independently. Beyond fewer emergencies, they reported better mental health and a stronger connection to their community.

In rural Fairfield County, South Carolina, a unique partnership between a private EMS agency and a primary care office is transforming how care reaches patients. Managing more than 250 of the practice’s 10,000 patients, the First Priority Community Paramedicine program delivers preventive care, chronic disease management, and social-needs support. A fantastic example of bridging access gaps for rural residents and ensuring that care continues where people live.

MIH Champion Graham Simms leads this work with compassion and precision, bringing both medical expertise and community understanding into every home. One recent example: an elderly patient with multiple chronic conditions—including diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and mild dementia—was struggling with medication adherence, food insecurity, and lack of transportation.

Through Graham’s coordination, the team helped the patient overcome every barrier:

- Partnered with a local pharmacy to provide monthly pill packaging and delivery, eliminating confusion and improving adherence
- Connected her with Meals on Wheels to reduce food insecurity and financial strain
- Arranged in-home medical care for all but one specialist visit, ensuring continuity and preventive care

Congratulations to Sally Arnold, MIH Week Champion in Chronic Disease and Medication Management!

Through Sally's leadership and impact in Georgia, Amerimed Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) is redefining how care reaches patients—bringing high-quality, coordinated medical services directly into the home.

Led by nurse practitioners under physician supervision and supported by a dedicated non-clinical team, Amerimed delivers Transitional Care Management, Chronic Care Management, Annual Wellness Visits, Remote Patient Monitoring, and more to help patients recover safely and stay connected to their care.

MIH Champion Sally Arnold exemplifies this mission through compassionate, outcomes-driven care. A shining example of Sally's impact stands out: a patient recently discharged after hospitalization for heart failure, diabetes, and renal disease. They faced major challenges, including poor medication adherence, high out-of-pocket costs, social isolation, and no clear follow-up plan.

Sally and the Amerimed MIH team partnered with hospital social work and pharmacy teams to connect the patient with medication assistance, coordinated food delivery and transportation resources, and engaged family support through education and remote monitoring. Within 48 hours of discharge, they completed a home visit and medication reconciliation, provided education on fluid management, and arranged ongoing follow-ups with the patient’s specialists.

✨This story demonstrates the real power of MIH/CP: meeting people where they are, addressing medical and social needs together, and changing lives through connection and compassion.

Congratulations Jessica!

Melissa’s leadership ensured the team didn’t just treat injuries. They tackled the root causes contributing to falls. That’s the heart of MIH: proactive, person-centered care that improves safety, health, and quality of life.

Congratulations, Melissa!

The results speak volumes: improved blood pressure and blood glucose levels, better alertness and activity, and far greater independence and quality of life.

This program, and Graham’s leadership, demonstrate the heart of MIH: meeting rural patients where they are, addressing both medical and social needs, and creating lasting, meaningful change in their health and daily lives.

Congratulations to MIH Champion Graham Simms with First Priority Community Paramedicine!

The results were transformative:
💠 Improved blood pressure, fluid balance, and glucose control
💠 Avoided early readmission
💠 Successful transition into outpatient dialysis with continuity of care

Through teamwork, compassion, and innovation, Sally Arnold and Amerimed MIH are proving that when care comes home, patients thrive.