The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA) awarded three Community Health Grant Award applicants $15,000 in second cycle 2017 grants. Grant awards were made to GAFP member affiliated organizations that support GHFA program priorities including underserved populations and outreach programs that promote healthy practices consistent with the principles of Family Medicine. The application deadline for first cycle 2018 grants is February 1, 2018. Visit www.georgiahealthyfamilyalliance.org/grants/ for more information or to download the application. The 2017 second cycle Community Health Grant Recipients are:
“Hearts & Hands Referrals, Specialized & Basic Labs” Brian DeLoach, MD Statesboro
The Hearts & Hands Clinic provides free medical and dental care to Bulloch County residents who are uninsured, ineligible for Medicaid and Medicare, and who live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.
In 2016, they provided 2,206 appointments covering primary care, dental, vision, women’s clinic, men’s clinic, specialty referrals, lab draws, blood pressure checks, mammograms, and educational consultations. They accepted and cared for 80 new medical and 84 new dental patients. Each new patient required basic lab tests and the majority of patients require quarterly or bi-annual follow up lab tests. Because of this, lab fees comprise a considerable percentage of the clinic budget. Funds from GHFA will be used to provide 75 new patients with three or four lab tests (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, Complete Blood Count, Lipid Panel, and Hemoglobin A1C if a patient is diabetic).
Morehouse Heal Clinic’s Community Health Project” Folashade Omole, MD Atlanta
The Morehouse School of Medicine Health Equity for All Lives (MSM HEAL) Student-Run Free Clinic (SRFC) is a full-service clinic, providing quality, comprehensive healthcare for underserved and uninsured populations at two primary care clinics in the Underwood Hills and Bankhead neighborhoods in Atlanta. Funding from GHFA will support the expansion of clinic programs and increase the impact in the Atlanta metropolitan area, with an emphasis on Fulton and DeKalb counties. The clinic offer a diverse range of services, including sick and well visits, adult immunizations, health screenings and physicals, women’s wellness, physical exams and patient education. During clinic sessions, students address preventive measures as well as acute medical concerns of patients. Physician consultations and pamphlets are used to help ensure patients understand the risk factors associated with disease processes, expected outcomes, and treatment recommendations.
“Get Fit and Be Healthy Project for Adults With Developmental Disabilities” Andrea Videlefsky, MD Marietta
In the past year the Adult Disability Medical Home has expanded their patient population to include multiple complex developmental disabilities including Autism, Fragile X, Microcephaly, and Cerebral Palsy. In 2016-2017, they held a pilot program called GET FIT AND BE HEALTHY, which included group visits, nutrition, exercise and health education. The program was successful in providing health and nutrition information. 78% of patients lost weight during the 3 month period. In concert with ADMH medical and team services, they now wish to expand this piloted program focusing on issues of health and wellness. Led by the medical team, dietitian and a personal trainer, the next group of eligible participants of GET FIT AND BE HEALTHY will have interactive and regularly scheduled workshops focusing on nutrition, exercise and health education monthly over the course of 6 months. They will collect and analyze data on personal and group results and the effects on their health outcomes.
These are only a few of the important programs your colleagues are lending their talents and time to statewide! Please consider making a contribution so that the Alliance can continue to support important projects like these. All donations are tax deductible. Make your Alliance contribution easily online at www.georgiahealthyfamilyalliance.org/donate/ or contact Alliance staff at ksinkule@gafp.org or calling (800) 392-3841.