AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation's most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. In the last few years AmeriCorps has seen the need to address issues in the field of Public Health. Here is some info from the Public Health AmeriCorps webpage:
“AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have joined forces through Public Health AmeriCorps. Together, we are supporting the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders who will be ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs. Public Health AmeriCorps has two main goals:
1. Address public health needs of local communities by providing support in state and local public health settings and advancing more equitable health outcomes for underserved communities.
2. Create pathways to good quality public health-related careers through onsite experience and training, with a focus on recruiting AmeriCorps members who reflect the communities in which they will serve.”
Here at Blue Ridge Medical Center our mission is to improve access to comprehensive primary care and to reduce health disparities for all people in the communities we serve (Nelson, Amherst, and Appomattox counties). And our vision is to be a vital, vibrant health center, recognized as the preferred provider of health care for the people in our communities. So you can see why we felt the need to start a Public Health AmeriCorps program at BRMC. Our missions align to where we can provide care and reduce health disparities in our communities.
