Our Work
Based on a strong belief that every person is an image-bearer of their creator, Siloam Health seeks to care, not just for the physical health of those we serve, but for their spiritual, emotional, and mental health as well.
The Need
Nashville sits at the intersection of two of the greatest challenges facing our country today: health care and immigration. With record rates of employment growth and nearly 100 new residents arriving daily, Nashville continues to be an energetic, vital place to live … but not for everyone. As the population and cost of living grows, so have the poverty rates in Nashville, making Music City’s overall population health quite poor in comparison to its peer cities.
Meanwhile, affordable health insurance has become an endangered species. Nashville is supposed to be the “Mecca” of the healthcare industry, but with 13% of our population living without insurance, we exceed the national average of 11%. Those who are both marginalized and uninsured have few places to turn.
The stakes are even higher for those born outside the United States. In addition to language and cultural barriers, many former immigrants and refugees – including the legally documented – feel scared to leave their homes, let alone go to the doctor. New residents to the United States also have higher rates of uninsurance than native born, but usually only temporarily. A temporary medical home can be critical to help them “graduate” from the ranks of the uninsured and fulfill the American Dream.
The number of medically and culturally marginalized Nashvillians is growing. When their world is uncertain, they know they can count on Siloam.
200,000
200,000 Middle Tennesseans don’t have health insurance
1 in 8
1 in 8 residents of Davidson County is born outside the United States
2nd largest
Tennessee boasted the second largest percent growth in immigrant populations from 2000-2015
50,000
Over 50,000 new Americans in Middle Tennessee live without health insurance
Our Philosophy
Siloam Health sits at the center of these challenges, bringing Christ-centered, whole-person care to the most vulnerable in Nashville. As a temporary medical home for Nashville’s uninsured neighbors, Siloam has offered high-quality, culturally sensitive, and low-cost health care for more than 30 years.
Serving the uninsured of all backgrounds, Siloam’s work has primarily focused on one of Nashville’s most vulnerable communities: immigrants and refugees. Today, nearly 90% of our patients and clients are born outside the United States, representing more than 80 homelands and speaking more than 50 languages.
We believe that all people, regardless of homeland, resources, or creed, are worthy of respect and care as God’s image-bearers. As a result, Siloam seeks to care not just for the physical health of those we serve, but for their social, emotional, and spiritual health as well. It’s what we call whole-person care.
Our Impact
Through your partnership, Siloam Health is making an impact in Nashville and beyond. Every year:
- 6,500 individuals receive consistent, culturally-competent health care, as well as non-medical services such as pastoral care and behavioral health consulting.
- 550 Nashvillians born outside the U.S. are learning to care for themselves and their families sustainably through relationships with Siloam community health workers.
- 30 newly arrived refugee families are paired with small groups of volunteers to increase critical health literacy and build deeper relationships with established Nashvillians.
- 50 medical and other health professions students are trained, equipped, and sent out to provide whole-person care beyond our four walls.
- 400 volunteers provide 9,000 hours of service as providers, interpreters, Nashville Neighbors, and in other forms of clinic support.
Our Areas of Focus
Health care transformed by love.
We work to fulfill our mission and vision primarily through three different types of services.
Medical Care
The Siloam Health Primary Care Clinic uses a unique, interdisciplinary model to provide comprehensive medical care that address not just the physical, but also the social, emotional, and spiritual determinants of health.
Community Health
Moving beyond our four walls, Community Health Workers and volunteers in the Nashville Neighbors program promote self-efficacy, health literacy, and health system navigation skills among immigrant and refugee communities in Nashville.
Student Education
As Siloam seeks to multiply a whole-person approach to medical care, staff clinicians regularly mentor health professions students and residents through custom coursework and clinical rotations.