Our Story
Founded by Dr. Sarah Redding and her late husband, Dr. Mark Redding, the Pathways Community HUB Institute was born from a vision to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. The journey began in 2001 with the development of the Pathways Model, inspired by successful collaborations with community health workers in Kotzebue, Alaska, and Baltimore, Maryland. This innovative approach led to the establishment of the Community Health Access Project (CHAP) in Mansfield, Ohio, where a training curriculum was created to empower community health workers (CHWs) from areas facing poor birth outcomes.
Despite initial efforts, data revealed that disparities in birth outcomes persisted. In response, the Pathways Model was refined to identify and address modifiable risk factors, resulting in a remarkable 60 percent reduction in low-birth-weight rates. Recognizing that a single organization could not tackle health disparities alone, the Reddings conceptualized the Pathways Community HUB Institute Model, which links agencies employing CHWs into a cohesive network.
Since its founding in 2015, the Pathways Community HUB Institute has expanded its reach, partnering with organizations like the Georgia Health Policy Center and the Rockville Institute to develop a certification program for Pathways Community HUBs. The model has undergone significant updates to enhance its effectiveness, including a standardized data model and a value-based payment strategy. Under the leadership of Jan Ruma, the first President & CEO, the PCHI Model continues to scale across the nation, fostering collaboration among community partners to promote health equity.