Creating Meaningful Health Care Partnerships
At our April 2025 Collaboratives in Action event, Civitas Networks for Health members gathered to share real-world examples of health care partnerships. The event showcased how local organizations are stepping into the critical role of neutral conveners, using trust, collaboration, and data to drive meaningful health improvements in their communities.
Moderated by Civitas leaders, Jolie Ritzo, and Lisa Bari, this public webinar featured three member organization leaders—Dan Cranshaw, Executive Director, KC Health Collaborative, Jennifer Lundblad, President and CEO, Stratis Health, and Kathy Miller, COO, Bronx RHIO—each demonstrating unique but complementary models of partnership-building across clinical and community care settings.
Examples of Health Care Partnerships from Across Civitas Networks for Health
Progress takes many forms—from small but meaningful conversations in neighborhood centers to the technical lift of building shared data systems. But at its core, it requires an intentional commitment to shared leadership, authentic community engagement, and sustainable infrastructure.
Each of our speakers highlighted the importance of building trust before building technology.
In Kansas City, for example, KC Health Collaborative’s Dan Cranshaw emphasized the need to walk alongside community-based organizations, not ahead of them, when launching new initiatives like their emerging community care hub.
In Minnesota, Stratis Health’s Jennifer Lundblad outlined how co-designing solutions with community partners has helped the organization serve rural and underserved populations more effectively.
And in New York, Bronx RHIO’s Kathy Miller illustrated how data-sharing agreements with CBOs are not just possible—they’re practical, scalable, and essential for whole-person care.
5 Lessons Learned on the Path to Progress in Health Care Partnerships
Across all three presentations, clear guidance emerged:
1. Trust takes time
Convening partners with different lived experiences and levels of power requires patience and transparency.
2. Technology is necessary but not sufficient
Tools like shared referral systems or face sheets are most effective when developed in partnership with the communities they’re meant to serve.
3. Sustainability planning is key
Whether funded through state programs, philanthropic grants, or multi-stakeholder investments, maintaining progress with community and health care partnerships requires a clear value proposition for all parties.
4. Community-based organizations (CBOs) need support
Community-based organizations bring deep, longstanding relationships and local knowledge to the table. Investment in their infrastructure is essential for long-term impact.
5. Data is a bridge—not a barrier
One of the most powerful themes of the event was how health information exchange (HIE) and data-sharing infrastructure can be leveraged to bridge gaps between clinical care and community-based support. Whether it’s predictive analytics for housing stability in the Bronx or shared social needs referral systems in Minnesota, Civitas members are advancing the technical and relational frameworks that make data useful—and usable—across sectors.
Continuing the Health Care Partnerships Momentum
The above sentiment was echoed by each of the speakers, who emphasized the importance of aligning with community values, acting with humility, and moving at the speed of trust.
This event was a glimpse into the ongoing efforts being led by Civitas members across the country. It also served as a preview of the deeper conversations that will take place this September at our #Civitas2025 Annual Conference in Anaheim, California.
Missed the live event? You can access the full Collaboratives in Action recording and slides, as well as past Collaboratives in Action programming via our resource library.
