Grant to assist with diabetes management at Albany Samaritan Clinic
Georgia Healthy Family Alliance awards Albany’s Made Whole Healthcare Solutions $5,000
From Staff Reports
ALBANY — The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance recently announced it has awarded Albany’s Made Whole Healthcare Solutions $5,000 from the 2018 Community Health Grant program that is designed to support urgent health care initiatives across the state.
Officials with the alliance said grant funds will be used to improve the management of diabetes for the underserved patient population at the Albany Samaritan Clinic.
The project is sponsored by Albany family physician Dr. Michael Satchell, who identified the need for the funding. Family physicians provide full-scope patient care for citizens of all ages, and they are often acutely aware of health challenges facing their communities.
Project HOPE, or Health Outcomes Prove Effectiveness, is the umbrella program for medical, vision, dental and women’s health services for the uninsured and underinsured at the Samaritan Clinic. Since its inception in January of 2008, Samaritan Clinic, a faith-based organization, has served more than 12,000 patients in the southwest Georgia area through its various programs.
Alliance officials said that, through this collaboration with Made Whole Healthcare Solutions, Samaritan patients will be provided with diabetic supplies and medications to remain compliant and in a better position to manage their condition. They will receive one-on-one and/or group instruction on proper nutrition, exercise, wellness and secondary prevention. Additionally, pre-diabetes patients will receive primary prevention counseling from Made Whole Healthcare Solutions.
Participating patients will continue to be monitored through Samaritan Clinic and receive their lab work and appointments with a provider at the clinic on a regular three-month rotation. Officials said the goal is to improve the management of diabetes for Samaritan’s underserved patient population.
The alliance is the philanthropic arm of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians. Officials said the Community Health Grant Program exists to support and create momentum in an area of need and provide funds for family physician-sponsored health care projects across the state.
Since launching the program in 2012, the alliance has awarded 45 charitable organizations more than $198,245. For more information, visit www.georgiahealthyfamilyalliance.org.
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