Timeline
April 2000:
Just Health Foundation, a non-profit organization, is formed to improve public health education and encourage “people working together” to “improve health care systems”
January 2001:
Just Health Foundation becomes a 501(c)(3) public benefit Tennessee corporation
Winter 2002:
Dr. Bob Waller, CEO emeritus Mayo Clinic, calls for a “common table” in Memphis as a way to get people to solve shared problems in our community.
Spring 2003:
Healthy Memphis Common Table (HMCT) forms as a small group of passionate volunteers who meet in their homes around dining room tables to discuss ways to improve health in the Mid-South.
Fall 2003:
HMCT becomes a 501(c)(3) corporation after merging with Just Health Foundation. The Common Table is introduced to the public at the UT Norfleet Forum. Don Berwick (IHI) and other national leaders help to focus the community on diabetes and obesity. Nearly 460 people generate ideas for action. Local leaders pledge support of the new HMCT and ask it to coordinate the health improvement activities of the entire community -- a coalition of coaltions, businesses, organizations and individuals.
February 2004:
HMCT hosts a Community Partner organizing meeting: over 40 key community & health care leaders attend. Working Groups are formed.
April 2004:
The Common Table conducts its first Community Partner Meeting: 120 attend. Working Groups review data, set goals and develop action plans. Community Partner Working Group meeting soon after; over 75 attend. Action Teams are formed
Summer 2004:
HMCT Working Groups and their Action Teams develop plans and in late summer “Meet the Press” at the 2nd Quarterly Community Partners Meeting to announce initial actions planned
Fall 2004:
Healthy Memphis campaign kick-off with The Commercial Appeal and WREG
January 2005:
HMCT Community Partners launch 18 projects for 2005 focused on reversing the obesity and diabetes epidemics in Shelby County.
January 2006:
HMCT serves as local host for the first national Shaping America’s Youth 21st Century Town Meeting. Over 1000 Memphians join Governor Bredesen and other local and national leaders in the Cook Convention Center to identifying ways to overcome the plague of obesity affecting our children.
March 2006:
HMCT launches over 25 projects for 2006.
Summer 2006:
HMCT receives Robert Wood Johnson Foundation “Aligning Market Forces for Quality” grant for $600,000 and Memphis becomes one of four national pilot AF4Q projects, recognizing its leadership in health system change. AF4Q becomes the Common Table's second major initiative. Later RWJF expands to 14 markets.
Fall 2007:
Memphis Quality Initiative (MQI) agrees to work with the Healthy Memphis Common Table to improve quality in hospitals. MQI becomes the Common Table's third initiative.
