Donor spotlight: emerson Health
Emerson Health is dedicated to caring for the community. Beyond its hospital walls, the organization aims to improve not only the physical health but also the emotional well-being of area residents.
Kelsey Magnuson, Community Benefits and Events Manager, said Emerson’s most recent Community Health Needs Assessment indicated mental health is a top priority for the region. In response, Emerson is focusing on programs that reduce loneliness and social isolation among people of all ages. “Research shows social connection is a critical part of overall health,” she said.
Kelsey Magnuson of Emerson Health
Libraries are a place where people have the chance to make meaningful human connections. “With their many offerings of free community events for all age groups, public libraries play a powerful role in strengthening social bonds and improving mental health,” Kelsey said. “Emerson is excited to support the J.V. Fletcher Library and increase opportunities for community members to interact.” Emerson collaborates with many local organizations to raise awareness about mental health and increase access to resources in the area.
A mom to two young kids, Kelsey said libraries have a “unique, valuable place in the community” and that they bring people together. Her children love bringing library books home to read, and they also enjoy choosing things from the online catalog. “Books are the foundation of libraries,” she said, “but they offer so much more.”
The J.V. Fletcher Library is among a long list of institutions that have benefited from Emerson’s generosity. As Kelsey explained, “by partnering with organizations that encourage learning, gathering, and engagement, Emerson continues its mission to strengthen the health of the region in meaningful and lasting ways.”
To learn more about Emerson Health’s Community Needs Assessment, visit www.emersonhealth.org/CHNA.
The Foundation thanks Emerson for its donation to the building project.