WCMS Awarded $50K Grant from Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy
Asheville, NC – Western Carolina Medical Society (WCMS) is pleased to announce that Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy has awarded the organization a $50K grant to fund the addition of a full-time Health Access Outreach Coordinator to the WCMS team. This position will engage with local community members, medical practices, and providers to share information on WCMS’ programs, including Project Access, which provides a barrier-free avenue to comprehensive healthcare ranging from outpatient specialty care to inpatient surgeries for the uninsured in Buncombe and Madison Counties.
“We are incredibly grateful for Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy’s investment in WCMS,” said WCMS Executive Director Karen Wallace-Meigs. “We hope this new Health Access Outreach Coordinator position will help us reach more patients, providers, and community members who may not yet be aware of WCMS programs. WCMS plans to increase our presence in the community through health events, large-scale festivals, and visits with local providers and partners. By engaging directly with our community, we believe we can enhance access to the healthcare services everyone needs,” added Wallace-Meigs.
About Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy
Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy seeks to improve the quality of life for the economically poor, especially women, children, and elderly, by supporting effective education, health care and social service organizations that have systemic impact and empower those without a voice. Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy operates exclusively for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, extending its outreach through community based philanthropy. As a Roman Catholic organization rooted in the Gospel and animated by the passion of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy strives to give voice to the poor. Through their grant making, their goal is to give those experiencing poverty access to services and opportunities that foster self-sufficiency and self-determination, and transform the quality of their lives in a sustainable way.
About The Western Carolina Medical Society
The Western Carolina Medical Society’s mission is to advocate for healthy communities, increase access to affordable healthcare, fight health inequities, and promote wellness in WNC. Since 1885, WCMS 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.
To learn more about the Health Access Outreach Coordinator position, click here.
