Self-care is often spoken about in individual terms — but for survivors of gender-based violence, it is deeply tied to the systems that surround them. Safety, healing and the ability to break free from the cycle of abuse depend on more than resilience alone. They require community, advocacy and coordinated support that extends far beyond a single hospital visit.
Recognizing this, Mercy Health and Women Helping Women have built a powerful partnership that places survivors at the center of care. By expanding 24/7 advocacy and creating stronger networks of support, they are transforming how survivors in Southwest Ohio navigate self-care, access resources and ultimately reclaim stability and hope after violence.
To explore how this partnership is transforming survivor care, we spoke with Gina Hemenway, Executive Director of Community Health for Mercy Health. Gina shared how Mercy Health and Women Helping Women are building a collaborative model that supports survivors and redefines what partnership can look like.
What initially brought Mercy Health and Women Helping Women together? What community needs were you looking to address?
- We are fortunate to have a longstanding partnership with Women Helping Women, who provide community-based advocates to support survivors across most of our Mercy Health hospitals and emergency departments in Greater Cincinnati. In 2023, our collaboration deepened as we identified a critical gap in services for residents of Clermont County and came together to address it.
How has the Mercy Health and Women Helping Women partnership transformed access to support for gender based violence survivors in SW Ohio?
- That service gap has now been closed. Survivors and their families in Clermont County have 24/7 access to community advocates who offer support not only within hospital settings but wherever survivors may need it. Women Helping Women’s survivor-centered approach and strong ties to community resources ensure that individuals receive the comprehensive, holistic care they need to begin healing.
How has having 24/7 Women Helping Women advocates available changed the experience for Mercy Health staff who encounter gender based violence cases and what does this mean for overall patient care?
- This partnership has had a profound impact on our clinical teams. Staff can now discharge patients with confidence, knowing that a safety plan is in place and a dedicated team of advocates is ready to support the patient through their recovery journey. There is a renewed sense of hope in knowing that care extends beyond medical treatment to include essential wraparound services.
Last year, in partnership with Women Helping Women, you expanded into a new county to provide 24/7 crisis support through a community-based approach. One year later, how has this expansion strengthened the overall partnership between Mercy Health and Women Helping Women and what new opportunities has it created for serving survivors?
- Our collaboration with Women Helping Women has been incredibly enriching. Their expertise has helped us develop a more consistent and comprehensive approach to caring for patients affected by sexual assault and domestic violence. They’ve also encouraged us to think more broadly about community collaboration and the role health systems can play in shaping a robust support network for survivors and their families. We’re excited about the future and the possibilities this partnership continues to unlock.
What lessons learned from this partnership could benefit other communities looking to develop similar collaborations?
- Transforming health system practices takes time and thoughtful change management. Involving community-based providers early in the process can accelerate adoption, enhance collaboration and ultimately lead to more effective and compassionate care for survivors.
Through collaboration, Mercy Health and Women Helping Women are demonstrating that breaking the cycle of violence is not just about responding to crises, but also about building systems that support survivors’ healing, dignity and self-determination. When healthcare and advocacy work hand in hand, survivors are not only safer, but they are also better positioned to reclaim their futures.
About Mercy Health
Mercy Health is one of the largest health care systems in Ohio, providing compassionate, high-quality care to communities across the region. With a mission rooted in improving the health and well-being of the people it serves, Mercy Health offers a full continuum of services — from primary and specialty care to emergency, surgical and behavioral health support. The organization is committed to advancing health equity and fostering collaborative partnerships that strengthen communities, address social determinants of health and ensure every patient receives comprehensive, holistic care.
About Gina Hemenway, MPPA
Executive Director, Community Health
Mercy Health Cincinnati
Gina Hemenway leads an interdisciplinary team focused on programs and partnerships that address critical community health needs and the social factors that influence health in the communities served by Mercy Health – Cincinnati. Before joining Mercy Health, Gina supported a range of healthcare transformation initiatives at the Health Collaborative in Cincinnati, Ohio and at the Harvard-affiliated Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Wittenberg University and a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. Outside of her professional work, Gina is continuously inspired (and joyfully exhausted) by her three young children.
