WCMS Awarded a $20K Grant from the Helen A. Powers Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
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 support the organization’s work in the community.
This grant will bolster WCMS’s work to increase access to healthcare, fight health inequities, and promote wellness throughout Western North Carolina. Following Hurricane Helene, WCMS has been working on connecting those affected with medical supplies, prescriptions, and durable medical equipment. With this renewed funding, WCMS will continue providing essential care to those in need.
“This support from the Helen A. Powers Fund is most welcome and appreciated,” said WCMS Executive Director Karen Wallace-Meigs. “WCMS’s programs assist WNC residents with critical access to healthcare, colorectal cancer screening, and mental health services. This grant will help ensure our programs reach those who need it most, especially in the wake of Helene.”
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:
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 (<200% FPL for all ages), 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 Federally Qualified Health Centers. 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.
WCMS Interpreter Network (WIN) is WNC’s largest interpreting service, providing professional translation and interpretation services for Deaf and limited English proficient individuals in our community. IN 2024, services were provided in 38 languages.
The Healthy Healer Program is a wellness program for physicians and physician assistants, offering free and confidential therapy and coaching, peer support, and discounts on local services.
Dr. Charles Blair Health Scholar Fund provides scholarships for local youth pursuing careers in healthcare.
