CBO Spotlight: RIPIN

Our primary care transformation efforts often include the support and partnership of statewide community-based organizations (CBOs). CTC-RI is spotlighting a different CBO monthly to recognize and appreciate their work in our communities. This month, we spoke with Emily Garthee, MBA, SHRM-CP, PHR, Chief Operating Officer at RIPIN.

1. What ways does your organization uniquely support Rhode Islanders?

RIPIN combines lived experience with professional expertise, employing peer professional Community Health Workers (CHWs) who provide personalized, empathetic support throughout the lifespan. Most of RIPIN’s board and staff are parents or caregivers to a loved one with a disability. More than 50% of our client-facing staff are bilingual in Spanish and English, ensuring we can effectively serve a diverse population. Across special education, health care, and healthy aging, RIPIN empowers Rhode Islanders to access essential resources and support. Peer professionals are at the heart of RIPIN, offering the expertise and advocacy necessary for individuals to thrive.

2. How can a partnership with primary care providers strengthen your work?

Partnerships between RIPIN and primary care providers amplify our mutual impact by helping patients bridge gaps between clinical care and community resources. As the largest employer of certified Community Health Workers (CHWs) in the state, RIPIN offers invaluable, culturally competent support, assisting patients in navigating health care, managing chronic conditions, and accessing services.

We work both to connect vulnerable patients to consistent sources of primary care and to help primary care providers address the non-clinical challenges their patients face. For example, we receive hundreds of referrals annually from pediatricians seeking support for patients and their families navigating special education. We also provide chronic disease self-management classes and other workshops that reach more than 10,000 Rhode Islanders every year. Together, we can address clinical and non-clinical challenges to help patients thrive.

3. What's something you'd like the primary care community to understand about your organization?

RIPIN is a trusted ally in supporting patients beyond the clinical setting, offering compassionate, practical guidance informed by the lived experiences of our peer professionals. We help individuals and families navigate complex systems, such as health insurance, education, and aging services, while addressing barriers like social determinants of health. Our work has helped Rhode Islanders save over $8 million in healthcare costs over the last six years, underscoring the impact of patient advocacy and support. By equipping patients with the knowledge and tools to advocate for themselves and take charge of their health, we improve outcomes for both patients and providers.

Learn more at www.ripin.org.