Advancing Health Equity Through Holistic Care: The Work of St. Joseph's Institute of Clinical Bioethics

October 2025 | Vol. 69, No. 3
Written by Shrijal S. Desai1, PCOM OMS-III, Christopher Antoniello1, PCOM OMS-III, and Jeremy Muhr1, PCOM OMS-III

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)1
Saint Joseph's University Institute of Clinical Bioethics1

The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) is pivotal in advancing the interests, safety, and welfare of osteopathic physicians and the patients they serve. This becomes more important as obstacles arise when serving underserved communities. Saint Joseph's University’s Institute of Clinical Bioethics (ICB) is an example of an initiative to address healthcare and social challenges through community-based healthcare programs. The ICB's Health Promoter Programs provide wide-ranging, culturally relevant healthcare services to various patient populations throughout the greater Philadelphia region.

The ICB’s Health Promoter Program is a comprehensive program that aims to bridge the gap in access to healthcare for vulnerable groups of people in Philadelphia. By offering an assortment of free health services ranging from blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screenings to wound care services for assessment and treatment of drug-induced wounds, the program aims to address critical health disparities that affect marginalized communities disproportionately. The ICB’s provision of free healthcare services exactly responds to POMA's mission of providing equal access to healthcare, whereby anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, is provided access to medical care. This model of care focuses on the individual's well-being and impacts community health directly by promoting preventive care early in life.

One of the distinguishing aspects of the ICB Health Promoter Program is how it is tailored to diverse cultural communities. The African Health Promoter Program, for example, was designed to address the specific health needs of African immigrants in Philadelphia, particularly those who suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension and kidney disease. By collaborating with churches and community organizations, the program renders healthcare delivery affordable and culturally relevant. The program serves as a template for how targeted advocacy can be used to improve the health outcomes of targeted populations, a principle that POMA adopts in its mission to advance the health of communities through culturally competent care. Another example of how the Health Promoter’s Program is tailored to diverse communities is evident in how the Hispanic Health Programs help reduce language barriers in healthcare provision. These programs provide services at locations frequented by the various Hispanic communities in Philadelphia, such as consulates, which has allowed our organization to effectively reach individuals who might otherwise not access medical care for fear of discrimination or because of a language barrier. Proactive programs like the Health Promoter Programs are essential in establishing trust between healthcare institutions and their communities. This philosophy extends to our other programs, including the Asian Health Promoter Program, the Mobile and Rural Health Promoter Program, and the BIPOC Health Promoter Program in Kensington, PA.

The BIPOC Health Promoter Program is a collaborative response to the particular health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in Philadelphia. By partnering with institutions like Temple Medicine, the ICB can combine resources and expertise to provide specialized healthcare services to marginalized communities. This collaboration enhances the quality of care provided and highlights the necessity of collective effort in reducing systemic health disparities. ICB's example of integrating various health services, such as dental care, physical therapy, and chronic disease screening, as well as providing culturally competent care, demonstrates the effectiveness of a healthcare model focusing on comprehensive care. POMA's simultaneous support continues to allow for a more integrated system of healthcare that addresses patients' unique needs.

In short, the advocacy of the ICB’s Health Promoter Program plays a critical role in promoting the well-being, safety, and best interests of our patients and local community members. Working with several healthcare organizations across Pennsylvania through the Health Promoter Programs is an exhibition of dedication to eliminating health disparities and enhancing access to healthcare for underserved communities. St. Joseph's Institute of Clinical Bioethics is pioneering the building of a healthier tomorrow for all Pennsylvanians by advancing activities with a focus on cultural competence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and holistic care.