Gundersen Tri-County Hospital and Clinics, Whitehall, 2020 Community Benefit

Community Collaborates on Trauma Informed Care

One of the bunk beds on display.
Gundersen Tri-County Hospital and Clinics began screening patients for social determinants of health in 2019. This work expanded in 2020 to include community partners and relationships critical to positive care and impact on patients and community.
The Resilient and Trauma Informed Care community group within Trempealeau County provides a safe place for community partners to gather on the topic of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma informed care. Along with Gundersen Tri-County providers, the group brings to the table teachers, daycare providers, religious leaders, human services workers and private businesses around the topic of resiliency and trauma informed care.
Community partners coming together on this topic increases awareness and knowledge, with a goal of lowering the risk of long-term health effects within the county. The group is speaking with a common language, shifting from asking “what is wrong with you?” to “what happened to you?” 
During Healthcare/Hospital week Gundersen Tri-County employees donated time and funds to help build 20 bunkbeds for the Trempealeau County Sleep in Heavenly Peace effort, for children who did not have beds to sleep on.