Temple University Hospital’s mission is to provide access to the highest quality of health care in both the community and academic settings. The hospital supports Temple University and its Health Sciences Center’s academic programs by providing the clinical environment and service to support the highest quality teaching and training programs for health care students and professionals, and to support the highest quality research programs. The hospital’s values are simple: Respect, Service and Quality.
Founded as Samaritan Hospital in 1892 by Temple University President Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple began life as a 20-bed hospital with one doctor and one nurse. The hospital’s mission was to provide free care for those unable to afford payment, regardless of race, nationality or creed. Today, Temple continues to uphold that mission but has grown into a nationally respected center of healing, caring, teaching and research. Although it uses the latest technology and treatments, its staff use one remedy that can never be replaced or improved: person-to-person caring.
Temple Hospital is deeply committed to serving patients who are uninsured, underserved, or face significant barriers to accessing traditional healthcare—particularly individuals living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. We recognize that true access requires addressing social, economic, and logistical challenges alongside clinical care.
Through routine screening for social determinants of health and partnerships with community organizations, faith-based groups, and federally qualified health centers, we identify and reach patients where they live and work. Our clinical providers deliver personalized care, assisting with scheduling, transportation, and connections to financial and social support. Community-based access points and mobile screening units further reduce barriers by bringing care directly to underserved neighborhoods.
Together, these efforts ensure that every patient, regardless of circumstance, has a supported path to timely, high-quality breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment—advancing health equity and improving outcomes across our community.
“As future legislative changes may create new barriers to preventive screening, we anticipate an increase in patients delaying care and presenting with more advanced disease, which will drive a greater need for complex diagnostics and treatments. Our extensive experience in screening for social determinants of health among underserved populations equips us to anticipate these shifts in access, adapt workflows accordingly, and ensure patients continue to receive the care they need. Additionally, advances in imaging technology and evolving community health needs will shape the types of exams required in the coming year. ” —Community Health Navigator, Temple Health
Donations are always appreciated, but there are lots of great ways to get involved.
