Moira Gassenmeyer: The Driving Force Behind the Equity Health Center in Coatesville
As Integrated Health Director for The Alliance for Health Equity, Moira Gassenmeyer is the force of nature behind the team that is bringing health and social resource integration to Coatesville through the Equity Health Center (EHC). A licensed Master Social Worker with deep experience in social services and previous positions with the Chester County Health Department and Crime Victims’ Center, Moira is primed to help make indelible and sustainable change in the Greater Coatesville region.
Moira works to advance the goals of the Equity Health Center to connect the Greater Coatesville area to affordable health care and help people overcome challenges like access to health care, social services, transportation, insurance, and more. “We are helping community members directly, with the goal of increasing the engagement of health and social services in the community and decreasing access barriers,” says Moira.
Founded in 2023, Equity Health Center is a collaboration between the Alliance for Health Equity and The Health Equity Group (formerly the Greater Coatesville Hospital Closure Group.) The initiative is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) by the Chester County Health Department, as well as supported by individual and corporate donations and grants. Starting in February 2023, the first step was to define the vision and build a plan to integrate and gain the trust of providers. Today, providers include Coatesville Center for Community Health (CCCH), Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM), Coatesville Youth Initiative (CYI), Penn Medicine/Chester County Hospital, and Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC).
“It helps that the providers know that the work they are doing isn’t a siloed effort,” says Moira. “For smaller nonprofit providers in Coatesville, it can feel like pushing a boulder uphill. The Alliance helps them know they have people and funding to support them and that they are working in concert with other health and social services to make positive change.
“It’s been exciting to start with a blank slate to build on, and we’ve received enthusiastic support from the Alliance team, the County, providers and many volunteers and community members. It’s amazing to be able to connect organizations on a macro level and support systemic change.”
This year, the organization has been working to raise community awareness, meeting people where they are, and increasing engagement. The most visible activity was the physical opening of the Equity Health Center (744 East Lincoln Highway, 4th Floor) in April 2024 where clinical, behavioral, and social support services are available. Its website, Equityhealthcenter.org, helps eliminate barriers to accessing health services by providing digital connection to services and a wide range of social resources.
The job hasn’t come without its challenges. “Understanding that there have been years of concerns about healthcare inequity, we know it’s our job to mend bridges and rebuild trust,” says Moira. “Many of the concerns were traced back to the fact that care organizations weren’t integrated, and that’s exactly what we are leaning into. We are seeing the benefits of provider organizations collaborating, and it’s evident that we have the resources to address the community’s needs. Now, it’s our job to make sure people know how and where to access them.”
One of the key tools that will be used to enhance access is the implementation of PA Navigate, which connects Pennsylvania residents with health and social care services in their local communities. The tool has been enthusiastically received by providers and is impactful in the hands of community members. Individuals can easily search for the services they are seeking such as food, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation and more by entering their zip code. That immediately generates a listing of local programs, complete with descriptions and contact information. “In addition to providing a wealth of resources for residents, PA Navigate provides us with a transparent understanding of what community members are searching for so we can better understand and address their needs,” says Moira.
“We look forward to making more strides in increasing access to services,” says Moira. “I’m passionate about fostering connections by bringing people and organizations together. The providers, Alliance, and Equity Health Center staff are creating a ripple effect that will lead to healthier and happier individuals and a stronger community that cares about each other. We want every community member to feel confident that they have access and options. We are doing everything we can to impact sustainable change by increasing the level and quality of care and improving access to services in the Greater Coatesville region.”