Healthcare Georgia Foundation Awards over $1.4 Million in Grants, Completes Grantmaking of over $4.2 million in 2003

Healthcare Georgia Foundation announced today that it has awarded grants totaling over $1.4 million. The grants were awarded to 19 nonprofit organizations throughout Georgia that support the Foundations commitment to advancing health and improving access to quality health care and preventive services for all Georgians. Now entering its third year of grantmaking, the Foundation continues to strengthen Georgias nonprofit health organizations, while expanding access to primary health care and preventive services for underserved individuals and communities.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 17 2004--Healthcare Georgia Foundation announced today that it has awarded grants totaling over $1.4 million. The grants were awarded to 19 nonprofit organizations throughout Georgia that support the Foundations commitment to advancing health and improving access to quality health care and preventive services for all Georgians.

With over one million residents currently without health care insurance, Georgia is facing one of its biggest challenges ever -- finding a way to increase the availability of affordable, quality health care and access to preventive services," said Dr. Gary D. Nelson, president of Healthcare Georgia Foundation. Georgians have voiced their opinions, making it clear that they want equal access to quality health care, increased funding of preventive health services and healthier communities in which they can live and raise their families."

As a result, the Foundation awarded the following grants in support of the programs and organizations

listed:

Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative, Inc.    $70,000

Support for cancer and chronic disease prevention and health education targeted to lesbian women in metropolitan Atlanta, Macon and Savannah.

Center for Visually Impaired, Inc.    $75,000

Support for a diabetes education program for blind and visually impaired adults in the Metropolitan Atlanta area.

Central Savannah River Area Partnership for Community Health    $99,000

Support for two registered nurses providing enhanced health education and chronic disease case management for patients in Richmond County and surrounding rural areas.

Friends of Disabled Adults and Children Too, Inc. $23,000

Support for a Medicare/Medicaid administrative position to assist individuals living with disabilities secure durable medical equipment to improve daily functioning and facilitate integration into their community.

The Georgia Center for Nonprofits, Inc.    $75,000

Support for the statewide implementation and evaluation of the Healthcare Capacity Building Project.

Georgia Hospital Association Research & Education Foundation, Inc.    $7,500

Support for "The Promise of Nursing for Georgia" to be held November 12, 2003 in Atlanta to raise awareness and support about the nursing shortage in Georgia.

Georgia Rural Health Association, Inc.    $60,000

General operating and conference support to strengthen the capacity of the Association to meet its mission of educating and advocating for healthcare issues in rural Georgia.

Georgia Southern

University Research & Service Foundation, Inc. $75,000

Support to expand the Rural Nursing Outreach Program to address both the underserved healthcare delivery needs of rural Southeast Georgia residents and the need for an increased number of nursing professionals in the region.

Hospital Authority of Jefferson County & the

City of Louisville    $90,000

Support to expand the Jefferson County Access Project's pharmacy assistance and preventive healthcare programs and to develop a data management system to track and analyze the project's data.

Institute for Public Health (Georgia State University Research Foundation)    $160,000

Support to establish the Georgia Tobacco Policy Project in the GSU Institute of Public Health to conduct policy research on state and local tobacco control strategies that will be effective in a tobacco-producing state.

Marcus Institute for Development and Learning, Inc. $50,000

Support to develop a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive spasticity program that provides diagnostic and treatment services to children (birth to 21) in Atlanta, to improve providers' clinical practice through education and to implement a tracking system.

The Morehouse School of Medicine, Inc.    $325,000

Support to establish the Institute for Health Policy in the National Center for Primary Care and to conduct policy research on primary care, prevention and mental health services for underserved communities in Georgia.

The Sheltering Arms    $90,000

Support for the health-related training of the organizations family support coordinators who provide health education and healthcare referrals to low-income families and children in metropolitan Atlanta.

Berrien County Board of Education    $30,000

Support for the school health program and salary support for a part-time registered nurse at Berrien High School in Berrien County.

Catoosa County Board of Health    $30,000

Support to build and enhance the existing school nurse program at Ringgold Middle School in Catoosa County.

Chattooga Board of Education    $30,000

Support for the school health program to enhance the established links between the school system, public health department and other community partners to increase the healthy lifestyles of children and families in Chattooga County Georgia.

Columbus Regional Healthcare System    $30,000

Support for the school health program to prevent health problems, promote health, ensure access to healthcare and identify and manage barriers to students' learning in Talbot County.

City Schools of Decatur (DeKalb Medical Center, Inc.)    $30,000

Support for the school health program and the children of families in the free or reduced lunch program in DeKalb County.

Madison County School System    $30,000

Support for the school health program to provide health education and expand CPR training in Madison County.

About Healthcare Georgia Foundation

Healthcare Georgia Foundation is a statewide, private independent foundation located in Atlanta, Georgia. The Foundations mission is to advance the health of all Georgians and to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities. Through its strategic grantmaking, Healthcare Georgia Foundation supports organizations that drive positive change, promotes programs that improve health and healthcare among underserved individuals and communities, and connects people, partners and resources across Georgia. For more information, please visit the Foundation online at: www.healthcaregeorgia.org.