Dr. Patrick O’Shaughnessy is on the Worthy 100 this year for visionary leadership and transformative efforts in healthcare. Leading a $3.2 billion health system that encompasses six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, and over 16,000 employees, Dr. O’Shaughnessy is more than just a healthcare executive; he’s a visionary who’s leveraging strategic partnerships to address complex societal issues.
This is not just a garden but a multipurpose ecosystem designed to tackle two pressing issues: mental health and food insecurity. For patients, the gardening experience serves as a therapeutic outlet and provides meaningful employment, which Dr. O’Shaughnessy argues is a crucial element in mental health treatment. Moreover, all the produce grown here is earmarked for donation to Mercy Hospital’s Family Care Program, directly serving those who are food insecure in the Long Island community.
Dr. O’Shaughnessy’s initiative continues beyond food donation. The patients receive direct referrals to community resources like the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), making this a full-circle approach to wellness. The garden embodies his belief in population health management, highlighting his conviction that healthcare providers should go beyond the clinical setting to address social determinants of health.
This project encapsulates Dr. O’Shaughnessy’s belief in population health management as a holistic solution to systemic challenges. His work with Smile Farms exemplifies a progressive healthcare model that focuses not just on treatment but on meaningful, multi-dimensional community impact.
