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Community Health Improvement Services

Methodist partners with other health systems, faith-based organizations, government and social service agencies, and prominent industry leaders to improve the health of our communities.
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Community Outreach Programs

Diabetes and Nutritional Health

Diabetes continues to be a major health challenge within our communities. Poor nutrition, lack of resources and “food desert” areas are just a few reasons for the uptick in diagnoses. Methodist continues to work with organizations and programs to increase early detection of diabetes. We aim to educate and assist those communities with large underinsured and uninsured populations.

Mobile Diabetes Center

Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) partners with Cornbelt Diabetes Connection Inc. (CDC) to take health screenings into the community with the Mobile Diabetes Center.

The Mobile Diabetes Center is a custom-built, 38-foot recreational vehicle. The current unit features a wheelchair lift and three rooms for nondiagnostic screenings, foot care and full examinations. CDC provides the driver, supplies, maintenance and storage for the unit. NMC is responsible for staffing and scheduling.

All services provided through the mobile unit are free. Visitors have access to:

  • Blood glucose screenings
  • Blood pressure screenings
  • Cholesterol screenings
  • Diabetes prevention education
  • Height/weight/BMI measurements

For more information, email the Mobile Diabetes Center.


Heart Disease and Stroke

Nearly 4% of Nebraska adults reports that they’ve been diagnosed with coronary heart disease or have suffered a heart attack or stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death across racial and ethnic groups and genders.

Physical activity, weight, tobacco use and family history are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Methodist provides education and screening to reduce the impact of this disease on our communities. Some of the ways we improve heart health include:

  • Offering free education on heart disease and stroke at our community events
  • Offering free BMI calculations at our community events
  • Offering free blood pressure and stroke screenings at our community events
  • Sponsoring the “No Tobacco Challenge” for Omaha-area elementary schools to educate students on tobacco harm and ask for a pledge to remain tobacco-free
  • Providing free consultation to all patients admitted to our hospital on becoming tobacco-free
  • Being the first tobacco-free health care campus in the area and encouraging employees, area businesses and the community to adopt a tobacco-free lifestyle


Cancer Care

Methodist is a regional leader in cancer care. As part of our commitment to improving the health of our communities, we offer clinical trials, convenient access to cancer screenings and support services that help ease the emotional and financial burdens of cancer treatment.

Clinical Trials

Methodist offers national and international clinical trials that are crucial to advancing the treatments of all types of cancer. The number of trial participants at our cancer centers far exceed the national average, which is between 3% and 5%. Participation is voluntary, and a participant can withdraw from a study at any time. If you’re interested in learning more about oncology research at Methodist, talk to your provider or check the full list of studies we’re currently offering.

Mobile 3D Mammography

The Methodist Mobile 3D Mammography coach offers the area’s first and only 3D mobile mammograms. Our mission is to remove the barriers to this lifesaving technology in underserved neighborhoods, community centers and local businesses. Learn more about the coach and how to schedule a visit for your organization.

Harper’s Hope

A special gift from The Harper Family Foundation established Harper’s Hope at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center to honor Josie Harper, beloved wife and mother. The program provides support services to anyone battling cancer, regardless of where they are treated.

Services include:

  • Counseling for cancer patients and their families
  • Inner Beauty, a specialty salon for cancer survivors
  • Individual nutrition counseling
  • Classes and special treatments to help survivors regain or maintain their physical wellness
  • Social services to help patients and their families find support for daily needs
  • Cancer risk assessments and prevention strategies

To learn more, call (402) 354-4673 (HOPE).


Prenatal and Maternal Health

To help decrease infant mortality rates, Methodist Women’s Hospital, Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and Methodist Fremont Health offer prenatal and parenting classes for all parents. Methodist is proud of its efforts to make high-quality medical care and education available to uninsured and underinsured women in the area.

Shaken Baby Task Force

There’s also a need to educate new parents about the dangers of shaking a baby. Studies have shown that 25-50% of teens and adults do not know that shaking a baby is dangerous. Partnering with other health care providers in the Council Bluffs area, we fund research and education to lower the risk of premature birth or infant death.

The Shaken Baby Task Force, led by the efforts of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, has developed and delivered a national public awareness media campaign and copyrighted curriculum of age-appropriate material for individuals from preschool to adulthood.

Successes of the Shaken Baby Task Force include:

  • In 2019, Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Family Resource Center distributed over 24,000 copies of educational materials, educating nearly 2,000 individuals in-person and via the Crying Baby Helpline – (866) 243-2229 (BABY).
  • Methodist Jennie Edmundson launched a new Safe Baby Campaign, making an easy-to-understand DVD/booklet package available at no cost to daycare providers, new parents and high school classes on parenting and child development. These materials are used by health systems throughout the country.

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

Survivors of sexual assault need comprehensive, compassionate care – especially in the time soon after an assault. Early treatment is vital to the health and well-being of the survivor and the successful identification, arrest and conviction of the offender.

The Heidi Wilke SANE/SART sexual assault program is housed in the emergency departments at Methodist Hospital, Methodist Women's Hospital and Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. Trained Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE) activate the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) to provide medical assistance, support and safety to the survivor of a sexual assault.

Methodist has initiated a SANE/SART training class for medical professionals as part of our continuing medical education program at Nebraska Methodist College. In 2019, our SANE/SART program assisted nearly 300 survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulation and human trafficking.