The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA) awarded Community Health Grant Award applicants $10,000 in first cycle 2022 grants. Grant awards were made to GAFP member sponsored community groups that support GHFA program priorities including underserved populations and programs that promote healthy practices. The application deadline for second cycle grants is May 14, 2022.
Visit www.georgiahealthyfamilyalliance.org/grants/ for more information or to apply. First cycle 2022 Community Health Grant recipients are:
Clarkston Health Center, “Breast Health Initiative” Patrice Shongo, MD $5,000
Clarkston Health Center’s (CCHC) Breast Health Initiative (BHI) aims to decrease the breast cancer mortality rate among uninsured, immigrant, and refugee women in DeKalb County and the surrounding region. In partnership with Emory-Decatur Hospital, CCHC has been providing free mammograms and follow-up, diagnostic testing for women aged 40 years and older who are patients of the clinic; or eligible women who are referred from elsewhere. During 2019-2020, 188 women received screening mammograms. Of the 188 women, 75 had benign results, 44 were submitted for follow-up, 11 biopsy orders were sent, 8 ultrasound-guided biopsies were completed, 9 genetic orders sent, 16 unilateral diagnostic mammograms completed, and one bilateral diagnostic mammogram was completed. CCHC’s volunteer physicians and nurse practitioners continue to conduct the initial clinical breast exams, identify any risk factors through a detailed medical history, and order the testing. Our funding will provide mammograms for an additional 210 women in 2022.
Physicians’ Care Clinic “Chronic Disease and Diabetes Management Program” Martha Crenshaw, MD Dekalb County, $5,000
Physicians’ Care Clinic (PCC) provides low income, uninsured adults who reside in DeKalb County with quality, comprehensive, nonemergency medical care. PCC currently has 1,413 enrolled patients, 80 of whom were new to PCC in 2020-21. Services provided by PCC include chronic disease management, disease prevention and health education, access to primary care physicians, referrals to medical specialists, pharmaceuticals, and health management supplies. The clinic operates with a small paid staff and 217 health care professionals who volunteer including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and others who provide in-clinic medical services. This project focuses on diabetes care and management, as well as heart disease and stroke prevention. PCC provides general cancer screenings, such as breast, colon, prostate, cervical, and endometrial. In addition to these screenings, the project provides laboratory screenings for high blood pressure, elevated A1C, elevated lipid panels, preventative eye examinations, podiatry exams, education classes and monitoring supplies.