Local Hospital Gears Up to Feed More Patients

NORMAN – Norman Regional Health System is gearing up to meet the needs of hungry Oklahomans through a variety of unique programs including a Food Pharmacy and donations of excess cafeteria food.

Norman Regional has a Food Pharmacy that provides shelf-stable food to both patients and employees. The Food Pharmacy program addresses food insecurity and malnourishment for both inpatient hospital and outpatient clinic patients by:

• Screening patients upon intake to determine if their living conditions involve food scarcity or malnourishment. Currently, 8% of inpatients are screened as malnourished, approximately 800 patients per year.
• Providing one-week supply of food from the Food Pharmacy, nutrition education and food pantry locations would be provided upon patient discharge.

The health system encourages patients who are experiencing food insecurity to talk with their physician, provider, nurse or a member of their healthcare team. The healthcare provider can then connect the patients with resources including the Food Pharmacy.

“Some patients may have to make the difficult decision between needed medications and providing food for their families. If we can help alleviate some of that burden, we would like to,” said Jessica Harris, registered nurse and manager of Transitions of Care and Clinic Care Coordination.

The Food Pharmacy is financially supported by the non-profit The Norman Regional Health Foundation and through direct donations of food from health system departments and employees. Staffing is provided by the NRH Auxiliary volunteers. If a member of the public is interested in donating to the Norman Regional Food Pharmacy, please contact the Norman Regional Health Foundation at 405-307-1077 or visit nrhfoundation.org to make a donation online.

“Our mission as the Norman Regional Health Foundation is to elevate health and wellness in our community and people can’t get healthier if they are hungry,” said Erin Barnhart, executive director of the Norman Regional Health Foundation. “A week’s worth of food is a lifeline for someone struggling with food insecurity. For some patients this means they can leave the hospital knowing their next few meals are taken care of. They can focus on their recovery.”

In addition to the Food Pharmacy, Norman Regional also began donating excess food from its cafeteria to local non-profit Food and Shelter.

Norman Regional volunteers stock the hospital’s Food Pharmacy with items.
These shelf-stable food donations are given to patients who are identified as food insecure.