NASHVILLE, TN, July 15, 2020 — When the National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC) launches on Wednesday, July 15, it will be a first-of-its kind institute designed to expand the field of medical respite care and enhance knowledge about these vital programs for patients without homes who are not sick enough to remain in the hospital, but are too sick to return to the streets or a traditional shelter
During NIMRC’s two-year start-up phase, it will be supported by an Advisory Panel comprised of external leaders who are strong proponents of medical respite care, especially in the era of COVID-19. Initial members of the Advisory Panel are Dr. Stephen Cha, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Community & State; Dr. Sarita Mohanty, vice president, care coordination of Medicaid and vulnerable populations for Kaiser Permanente; Dr. Pamela Riley, medical director for the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance; and Dr. Michelle Schneidermann, director of high-value care for the California Health Care Foundation.
“We are honored to have such well-respected leaders support NIMRC’s role in expanding medical respite care,” said Dott Freeman, NIMRC’s director of advancement. “We look forward to their counsel on establishing NIMRC as a nationally recognized institute and facilitating strategic and philanthropic connections and partnerships.”
NIMRC is a special initiative of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, which works to improve health care and to eliminate homelessness
“There is a clear need nationwide for medical respite care programs,” said Bobby Watts, CEO of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council and director of the NIMRC initiative. “As we face mounting crises related to health care and people experiencing homelessness, medical respite care is a proven solution that benefits individuals, health care systems, and communities. NIMRC will deliver tools and resources that will help expand these programs and increase access to their services.”
To learn more about medical respite care, visit NIMRC online at www.nimrc.org. Additional information about the National Health Care for the Homeless Council can be found at www.nhchc.org.
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