Western Carolina Medical Society Receives Grant from Dogwood Health Trust
ASHEVILLE, NC – Dogwood Health Trust has awarded the Western Carolina Medical Society (WCMS) a multiyear grant of $162,000 to support the organization’s mission to improve healthcare access throughout western North Carolina.
“We are incredibly grateful to Dogwood Health Trust for their partnership in service to all WNC neighbors,” said Karen Wallace-Meigs, Executive Director of WCMS. “This support comes as WCMS celebrates 30 years of Project Access. Project Access is the only program in western North Carolina solely dedicated to coordinating comprehensive, donated specialty care for low-income, uninsured neighbors in Madison and Buncombe Counties who are ineligible for Medicaid. Our work is critical. This grant from Dogwood Health Trust allows our agency to continue supporting patients and providers, as well as offer staff training opportunities.”
The funding will enable WCMS to expand healthcare access across WNC and ensure long-term sustainability and measurable impact. WCMS houses five programs, including the region’s largest interpreting program, the WNC-Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative, free mental health services for medical providers, and a health scholarship fund.
About the Dogwood Health Trust
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities of eighteen counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust was created from the net proceeds of the sale of Mission Hospital System and focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the factors that contribute to overall health and wellness, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and access to care and health resources. Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn, and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit www.dht.org.
About The Western Carolina Medical Society
The Western Carolina Medical Society is a membership organization of more than 700 physicians and physician assistants. Its mission is to advocate for healthy communities, increase access to affordable healthcare, 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 health challenges facing our community’s residents. Indeed, Project Access was the original program of its kind at its inception 30 years ago and has been replicated around the country in hundreds of locales.
For more information about the Western Carolina Medical Society, contact Niki Duff, Director of Development & Communications at niki@mywcms.org or visit www.mywcms.org.
For Immediate Release – WCMS Awarded Multiyear Grant from Dogwood Health Trust
