Better Together: A Groundbreaking Collaboration With Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System

Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System have unveiled a historic partnership aimed at enhancing access to care and improving health outcomes throughout Broward County. This pioneering initiative, “Better Together,” is dedicated to tackling the pressing primary and maternal healthcare needs within Broward County communities, while also addressing food insecurity.

Better Together chose to focus on these three areas because the County continues to see:

• High incidence of poor maternal-fetal outcomes with 35% of all Black infant deaths coming from identified communities.
• One in 10 people have hypertension and almost a third of the County population isn’t receiving annual checkups.
• Almost 200,000 residents have little or no access to nutritious food.

This multi-million-dollar collaboration to create a healthier community is supported by key community partners, including the United Way of Broward County, the Community Foundation of Broward, the Health Foundation of South Florida, Feeding South Florida, and Broward County, as well as the two health systems.

“Through ingenuity, strategic partnership and determination, Better Together will revolutionize primary and maternity care for our community,” said Shane Strum, President & CEO of Broward Health and Interim CEO of Memorial Healthcare System, at today’s event about Better Together. “Today, the traditional healthcare delivery model changes.”

Despite ongoing efforts to prevent chronic conditions and increase healthcare access, hypertension remains a major contributor to poor maternal-fetal outcomes, as well as heart disease, the leading cause of death both globally and in the U.S. for adults. Several communities in Broward County have been identified as “maternity deserts,” where access to essential prenatal and postpartum care has been limited, putting maternal health and birth outcomes at risk. As of 2020, two specific zip codes—33311 and 33313—accounted for just 10% of the county's population, yet they saw 21% of all infant deaths and 36% of all Black infant deaths in Broward.

“Better Together is determined to ensure that adults in our community no longer have to accept these negative health outcomes,” said Melida Akiti, chief transformation officer at Broward Health. “This initiative will provide women with access to maternal care close to home, fostering safer pregnancies and deliveries, while also expanding primary care options for adults.”

In addition to expanding access to primary and maternity care, Better Together’s third component focuses on combating food insecurity. In Broward County, more than 11% of the population faces uncertainty about where their next meal will come from.

How Better Together Will Work

Call Center

• In April 2025, Better Together will launch a website and a centralized phone number to connect adults to care close to home.
• This county-wide call center will direct patients to points of care closest to them and assist with scheduling so all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, receive primary and maternity care.

Brick and Mortar

• Through the investment made by Better Together partners, additional brick and mortar locations will be constructed in areas deemed medical deserts.
• Locations are already being evaluated.

Mobile Health Units

• Better Together will further expand outreach through Broward Health and Memorial’s mobile health units to provide screening and ongoing care through the community.
• The units will visit churches, community centers and specific zip codes that do not have adequate access to primary care resources.

Hypertension

• By expanding the Hypertensions Navigation program, pregnant women will receive a blood pressure cuff and a navigator who will support them during pregnancy and for a full year following birth.

Food Insecurity

• Better Together will address food insecurity, a critical driver of health.
• In partnership with Feeding South Florida, food distribution locations will be established by using data to target areas where individuals are more at risk.

“Through ongoing, proactive health management, Better Together is committed to combating diabetes, hypertension and adverse maternal outcomes,” said Akiti.

The Data

In addition to tracking the numbers of adults accessing care through mobile clinics, emergency care and primary care providers, Better Together will monitor key performance benchmarks to ensure the partnership delivers maximum impact.

Better Together will collect data on:

• Declines in avoidable emergency department visits
• Expectant mothers who receive early and consistent prenatal care
• Mothers who receive postpartum check-ups within six weeks of delivery
• Reductions in low birth weight, preterm births and maternal complications
• Screenings for diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions
• Immunization rates among children, expectant mothers and other priority populations

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of those we serve, ensuring that high-quality care is available to all, regardless of where they live,” said Chair Christopher Pernicano, Chairman of the North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners. “These two systems will create a lasting impact on the health and wellness of Broward County.”

“Better Together is much more than just a name,” said Akiti. “It’s a reflection of our belief that collaboration is key to creating lasting change. That together, we will get our community better – healthier, happier, whole.”