Arlington Receives Outstanding Achievement Award From U.S. Conference of Mayors

By Susan Schrock

Posted on July 06, 2016, July 06, 2016

Arlington was one of five national cities with populations of 100,000 or more to receive the U.S. Conference of Mayors' 2016 Outstanding Achievement Award.

The American Dream City was recognized for its Community Health Program, a voluntary, no-cost enrollment in-home paramedic preventative care service.

Specially selected physician-trained paramedics make proactive, preventative "house calls" to patients and provide a variety of services including medication reconciliation and in home lab testing. Social need are also assessed and addressed through social service agency connectivity. Results of the Arlington Fire Department's pilot program include a 911 utilization reduction of 158 responses. Emergency room visits also dropped 60 percent and hospitalization dropped 85 percent.

"This award is an outstanding achievement for the Arlington Fire Department and the Arlington Community Health Program. This award is validation from Mayors across the country that we are helping solve real healthcare issues in Arlington," Battalion Chief Brent Shanklin said. "This has been a great public/private partnership between the City of Arlington and Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. We are able to provide a vital link that assist the citizens of Arlington live a happier and healthier life."

The award was announced at the U.S. Conference of Mayors' 84th annual meeting last month in Indianapolis.

Plano was also among national cities with populations over 100,000 to receive an Outstanding Achievement Award, as did Fargo, North Dakota, Henderson, Nevada and Little Rock, Arkansas.