How We Were Formed
Through a collaborative, highly interactive process involving diverse community representation; a shared vision of a healthier Carroll County has emerged. Reflecting the proud heritage of this area, we are dedicated to assuring a healthy community for generations yet to come.

Sue Bohn, Nancy & Mike Chomel working together at our community's annual Relay For Life!

The organization strives to sustain our unique local culture founded in the empowerment of individual responsibility. Family values are a prominent focus of our vision, as is partnership among organizations. We also seek to assure that the very best, affordable and integrated health services remain available and easily accessible for all in this community. Our healthy vision also encompasses safe activities and a safe environment that enhances the minds, bodies and spirits of everyone who lives or works in Carroll County.

The combination of insight and experience derived from the multiple stakeholders involved in this organization allows us to provide an innovative, apolitical structure for development and health improvement. Carroll County is a picturesque rural Maryland community of about 160,000 people. With a strong agricultural history and beautiful rolling open spaces, the area has long been home to hard working families and small town traditions. The 1990’s brought a surge of housing and business development, a 136% increase in population by migration from nearby cities and suburbs, and a growing sense of change.

Demographics	1980	1990	1995	2000 (projected)
Households	30,600	42,248	47,500	52,800
Labor Force	47,446	68,784	76,119	87,100
Employment	44,448	66,149	72,939	82,500
Median Household Income	$21,358	$42,378	$55,548	$70,304

Current Focus
The Partnership started as a community health assessment. We were eager to identify the issues affecting the health of individuals and to implement improvement activities. Funded by Carroll County General Hospital and led by a community steering committee this was a highly collaborative and scientifically valid process that resulted in the identification of Eight key areas:

1. Access to Health Care
2. Preventive Health and Wellness
3. Cancer
4. Heart Disease
5. Substance Abuse
6. Violence
7. Mental Health
8. Elder Health

In the process, we learned that health is more than simply the absence of disease!

In light of our rapid growth and change we seek to include the quality of life, infrastructure, economics, education and spiritual dimensions in our broadened definition of health. It is in that context that our work is now focused.

Operational Structure and Principals
Our organizational structure has been designed to continue the engagement of this community around the common issue of health. A 50 person, Citizens Advisory Forum (CAF) is formed of representatives from the 8 Carroll municipalities. They include people from business, industry, government, healthcare, the faith communities, and law-enforcement as well as education and civic organizations. They meet semi annually and serve as Partnership advisors and ambassadors. They keep us connected to the neighborhoods and the issues of Carroll County.

A seven-person Executive Council (EC) includes 4 "at large" representatives from the CAF and provides the organizational oversight to achieve our Mission. The EC meets monthly and includes appointed representatives from Carroll County General Hospital and Carroll County Health Department as well as the executive director Tricia Supik. A healthcare administrative executive with a background in Nursing and community health, Tricia's experiences include organizational development and project management in addition to professional nursing practice. She is actively involved in diverse community organizations as a board or committee member building the relationships that sustain partnering opportunities.

Proactive Community Model
The real power engine of this improvement machine is found within the passion and expertise of our work groups. Composed of a leader from the CAF and 10-12 interested members, the work groups tackle the tough issues. They identify specific goals with measurable outcomes. They define initiatives to achieve those goals; resources required, timelines for implementation, and methods of evaluation. Currently, work groups are addressing tobacco use among our kids; the prevalence of Cancer in men and women; our tragically high motor vehicle mortality rate, and the connection of poor nutrition in the learning abilities of our children and as a risk factor in our high coronary disease rates.

We are happy to share the stories about our health improvement partnership and invite you to visit the other pages within this web site to further interact with us.