Healthy Community Partnership

Healthy community partnership logo

The Healthy Community Partnership grew out of relationships that Johns Hopkins Bayview established with a number of area religious congregations. Embracing the principles of dialogue, mutual education and respect, these partnerships support initiatives that help to:

  • Improve access to medical care
  • Offer educational programs on health topics that impact the community
  • Equip individuals and groups with needed resources and tools to become stronger advocates for good health and medical care
  • Address health care disparities

Mission, Vision & Goals

Contact Us

For more information about that Healthy Community Partnership, or if you're interested in participating in future programs and partnerships, please contact Kimberly Monson via phone or e-mail.

Publications, Testimonials, and Support

Administrative Team

Richard G. Bennett, M.D.
Richard G. Bennett
W. Daniel Hale, Ph.D.
Kimberly D. Monson
Kimberly D. Monson
Paula J. Teague, D.Min.
Paula J. Teague
Meghan Rossbach
Meghan Rossbach

COVID-19 Community Partners Calls

Sponsored by the Healthy Community Partnership and Medicine for the Greater Good

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued various public health instructions and messages with the hope of curbing the spread of the virus. These instructions were made in an effort to slow the spread of the virus that resulted in significant morbidity and mortality, especially to vulnerable populations (minorities, socioeconomically disadvantaged). In an effort to assure accordance with public health instructions by the CDC, equitable strategies for at-risk and vulnerable populations and communities were warranted. Through existing relationships established by the Healthy Community Partnership, Medicine for the Greater Good, and the Department of Spiritual Care, community conference calls were implemented to disseminate critical information on the pandemic and allow community leaders to discuss struggles and successes.

Guidance and Recommendations for Congregations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided guidance and recommendations for faith-based organizations to educate, prepare, and respond to COVID-19. However, local faith-based leaders were still left challenged on how to take general guidelines and adapt them to their buildings of worship and their community. In an effort to assure accordance with CDC guidelines, the Healthy Community Partnership (HCP) and Medicine for the Greater Good (MGG) provided guidance to faith-based organizations who participated in our COVID-19 Community Calls. We meet with faith-based leaders to discuss how to implement CDC guidelines in accordance with their belief, place of worship, and community.

Faith-based leaders are invited to meet with us virtually to discuss how to reopen their place of worship safely. During these sessions, we discuss guidelines issued by the CDC on healthy hygiene practices, cleaning and disinfecting, and physical distancing, while tailoring to the needs and beliefs of the religious communities. Questions and concerns are also addressed.

If you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss how to re-open your faith-based organization safely, please email us.

Honoring Your Wishes: Your Voice Matters

Conversations about end-of-life care or critical illness decision-making are difficult.  Most people don’t want to think about tragedy or death. It is important to start these discussions in a safe and nurturing environment.

A grant from the Maryland Department of Health has enabled the Johns Hopkins Bayview Department of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy, in conjunction with the Healthy Community Partnership (HCP), to develop a new workshop about advance directives. 

An advance directive is a written document that tells your health care providers who should speak for you and what medical decisions they should make if you become unable to speak for yourself. An advance directive is important if you become unconscious or otherwise too sick to make your wishes known.


Advance Directives | Your Voice Matters

An advance directive is a legal document that shares your wishes for care at the end of your life. Paulette Chase-Lampkin shares her brother's life and the importance of establishing an advance directive.

"Honoring Your Wishes: Your Voice Matters" is a free workshop about advance directives that encourages individuals to ensure that they will have a voice through wellness, chronic illness and end of life.

Participants will learn:

  • What an advance directive is
  • How to write an advance directive
  • How to communicate final wishes

If your congregation or community organization is interested in hosting a free workshop, please contact Andrea Fitz at [email protected] or 410-550-1197.

Lay Health Educator Program

Partnerships between hospitals and faith communities have the potential to address many of today’s greatest health challenges. Working together, they can develop proactive and compassionate programs that provide people with the information and support they need to access health care resources as well as maintain their health, independence and dignity.

The Healthy Community Partnership’s Lay Health Educator Program is a free, 9-week, 13.5 hour course for volunteers from religious communities who are interested in addressing many of today’s greatest health challenges. No prior training or experience in health care is required. The program is offered by Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, with instruction provided by physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers and chaplains.

Some of the topics covered include:

  • Advance directives
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Communicating with health care providers
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Hypertension
  • Lung disease
  • Medication management
  • Stroke
  • Vaccinations

Program participants also learn about local health programs and how to access appropriate resources.

Upcoming Lay Health Educator Training

Medical Religious Partners

Medical-religious partnerships support the Medical Center's role as the trusted hospital of choice for the local community. Johns Hopkins Bayview offers volunteer education, health and wellness programs for spiritual leaders and congregational health activities. Congregation/faith groups who engage with the Medical Center in its effort to build a healthier community are called medical religious partners. These partnerships are the backbone of a committed network of care in the neighborhoods surrounding Johns Hopkins Bayview. There is no cost to participating in a medical-religious partnership.