Discover how CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) and local partners are redefining what’s possible when health care organizations embrace their role as anchor institutions. By building trust, addressing root causes, and co-creating solutions with the communities they serve, CareFirst is advancing a bold new model for health equity.
This session spotlights The Village at Mondawmin (The Village), a 127,000-square-foot community hub in West Baltimore. Through a place-based, anchor institution strategy, The Village blends workforce development, access to health and social services and community engagement to tackle the social drivers of health.

About the Initiative
What began as an effort to address health disparities through data evolved into a community-informed strategy grounded in economic opportunity. Guided by input from residents across the CareFirst service area, partners recognized that improving health outcomes requires more than clinical care. It takes stable jobs, accessible training, and support navigating complex systems.
In response, the initiative shifted from a top-down approach to one shaped by community priorities to offer wage-sustaining employment, workforce development programs, health care navigation, and wraparound support. The model also illustrates how localized employment strategies can benefit both health plan operations and community resilience.

CareFirst was the first public-facing tenant to open at The Village and is partnering with health systems, community organizations, and developers to create a long-term community asset that promotes economic opportunity across West Baltimore. At The Village, CareFirst provides health education, in-person insurance support, and connections to maternal health and financial literacy resources. The center is open to all community members, regardless of CareFirst membership, underscoring the organization’s commitment to inclusive, community-based care.
Join this session for a behind-the-scenes look at how the initiative moved from vision to implementation and what’s next as it expands to new communities.

Key Takeaways:

• Acquire a replicable framework for advancing health equity through physical space, workforce strategies, and authentic community partnerships.
• Learn how CareFirst is measuring impact using employment outcomes, healthcare engagement, HEDIS data, social needs navigation, and patient feedback.
• Discover how place-based, anchor institution strategies—including site location, design, and co-location of services—can drive accessibility and economic mobility.
• Understand Workforce Development as a strategic lever for addressing the needs of the Medicaid population.