WCMS Awarded a $20K Grant from the Helen A. Powers Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
Asheville, NC – Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation (WCMS) is pleased to announce that the Helen A. Powers Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee has awarded the organization a $20K grant to address access to affordable healthcare.
Specifically, this grant will support WCMS’s mission to advocate for healthy communities, increase access to healthcare, fight health inequities, and promote wellness throughout Western North Carolina by bolstering WCMS’ philanthropic programs.
“With this grant, we can continue to strengthen the programs that the WNC community relies on,” said Director of Health Access and Equity Programs Rosalia McHattie. “WCMS’s programs assist WNC residents with access to healthcare, medical interpretive services, and more. This grant assists us in ensuring our programs reach those who need it most.”
About The Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation
Since 1885, the Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation has been respected for its leadership and innovation in addressing issues of access to affordable health care, disparities in health, and wellness promotion. Throughout its history, WCMS has been at the forefront of working collaboratively with area organizations to address the health challenges facing our community’s residents.
The WCMS Foundation houses five charitable programs, which work towards our mission. Our charitable programs include:
Project Access®: An innovative network of volunteer physicians, providers, and organizations that provide free/low-cost comprehensive health care and socio-economic services to low-income (<138% FPL between the ages of 18-64), uninsured residents of Buncombe and Madison counties.
Western North Carolina Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative (WNC-CRCSI) is a collaboration between Digestive Health Partners (a private practice), WCMSF Project Access, the American Cancer Society, and local FQHCs, the WNC-CRCSI provides colorectal cancer screening to uninsured individuals between the ages of 45 and 75 using FIT tests. Patients with a positive FIT test receive a colonoscopy free of charge through Project Access. Patients with a positive colonoscopy receive surgery and cancer care free of charge through Project Access.
WCMSF Interpreter Network (WIN) provides professional translation and interpretation services for Deaf and limited English proficient individuals in our community. Those who use the Foundation Interpreter Network (WIN) services are Spanish speakers (55%), Russian (15%), American Sign Language (15%), and Ukrainian (5%), with the “other” category (10%) reflecting 10 languages spoken.
Healthy Healer Program is a wellness program for physicians and physician assistants, offering discounts on important services such as therapy, coaching, concierge services, and meal delivery.
Dr. Charles Blair Health Scholar Fund provides scholarships for minority youth pursuing careers in healthcare.
For more information about the Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation, contact Niki Duff, Director of Development at niki@mywcms.org or visit www.mywcms.org.
