Obici Foundation awards $2.2 million in grants [Virginian – Pilot]

The Obici Healthcare Foundation awarded $2.2 million in grants to 28 nonprofit organizations that serve the Western Tidewater region on Oct. 15.

The recipients and programs are:

American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Self-Management Education, $13,855. To train ambassadors in high health-risk congregations to raise awareness of diabetes and stress the importance of early detection, disease management and health risk factors.

Bon Secours Maryview Foundation, Care-A-Van, $112,500. To provide free, mobile medical services to medically underserved in Western Tidewater.

Suffolk Parks and Recreation, Get Up and Get Out, $23,844. To provide youth with opportunities to increase physical activity and healthy eating.

Eastern Virginia Medical School, Specialty Care Center Project, $25,000. To plan for the establishment of a Specialty Care Center that will improve access and decrease complications associated with diabetes.

Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Healthy Food for Healthy Living, $37,500. To provide diabetic clients with nutritional food from the Foodbank's Suffolk Mobile Pantry

ForKids Inc., Rapid Re-Housing and Emergency Medical Needs, $56,250. To improve access to medical and mental health services for homeless families.

Horizon Health Services, Oral Health and Tobacco Intervention, $75,000. To provide dental care and smoking cessation services in Franklin, Southampton, Surry and Sussex.

Paul D. Camp Community College, Suffolk Nursing Skills Laboratory Renovation, $72,000. To renovate the Suffolk Health Sciences Skills Laboratory.

RX Partnership, Medication Access for Western Tidewater, $11,250. To provide free prescription medication and low-cost supplies to low- income, uninsured residents served by the Western Tidewater Free Clinic.

Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, Hayden Village Center Project, $500,000. To rehabilitate the historical Hayden High School in Franklin and provide inter-generational health and wellness services to the community.

Sentara Obici Hospital, Transition Coach Pilot Project, $37,500. To provide uninsured patients with case management services that improve self-care disease management skills from hospital to home.

Sentara Obici Hospital, Telepsych Equipment, $22,563. To buy telemedicine equipment to improve access to behavioral health services in emergency departments.

Sentara Obici Hospital, Life Coach Program, $75,000. To provide Life Coaches in Sentara Obici Hospital's Emergency Room to help uninsured and underinsured patients obtain primary care services or other resources.

Suffolk Family YMCA, Jump Rope Program for Youth, $20,625. To increase cardiovascular fitness, physical strength and life skills for youth in an after-school jump rope program.

Suffolk Public Schools, Strategic Health Action and Wellness Plan, $75,000. To develop and implement After-School Challenge Clubs focused on obesity prevention and salad bars in cafeterias.

Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Live Well Community Support Project, $61,379. To help public housing residents become more aware of prevention and management of chronic disease.

Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Living Healthy and Smoke-Free in Public Housing, $50,000. To raise awareness about the health hazards from exposure to secondhand smoke and reduce the number of smokers.

Suffolk Salvation Army Corps, Medical Transportation Program, $11,250. To provide low-income people with transportation to doctors, hospitals and pharmacies.

The Genieve Shelter, Capacity Building and Development Officer, $35,000. To support the establishment of the Development Coordinator position to encourage community participation, and for financial support of the Shelter's programs and special events.

The Planning Council, Continuum of Care Coordination, $12,000. To coordinate services among homelessness continuum of care providers, including the management of housing, healthcare and support services.

The Planning Council, Health Insurance Outreach Initiative in Suffolk, $53,027. To support a Suffolk outreach initiative that enrolls uninsured children in FAMIS.

Virginia Healthcare Foundation, The Pharmacy Connection Web Conversion, $25,000. To continue participation in Medication Assistance Program with technological upgrades.

Virginia Legal Aid Society, Medicaid Access Project, $75,000. To help disabled clients navigate Medicaid and Medicare application and appeals.

Virginia Supportive Housing, Health Support Services for Homeless Single Adults, $11,250. To provide case management and access to medical and mental health services to disabled people in supportive housing.

Western Tidewater Community Services Board, Outpatient Medical Detox, $100,000. To continue Western Tidewater's first outpatient medical detoxification program.

Western Tidewater Free Clinic, Expand Access to Comprehensive Healthcare, $500,000. To provide operational support for medical and dental care, and chronic disease management for uninsured patients.

Western Tidewater Health District, Saving Smiles, $13,900. To offer mobile dental services to improve the oral health of children in Isle of Wight County, the City of Franklin and Southampton County by increasing the Medicaid/FAMIS utilization rate.

Western Tidewater Health District, Expand Access to Comprehensive Healthcare, $134,274. To provide telehealth monitoring services for chronic disease patients who frequently visit emergency rooms.

The Foundation also said more than $1.7 million in grants will be awarded during the next year-long grant period. Applicants must submit Concept Papers by 2 p.m.Nov. 12. Grants will be awarded in April.

More information on grants-making with the Obici Healthcare Foundation can be found at obicihcf.org or by contacting a program officer at 539-8810.

The Obici Healthcare Foundation was created in 2006 with assets established through the generosity of Mr. Obici and funds from the merger of Louise Obici Memorial Hospital and Sentara Healthcare. The Foundation has provided more than $27 million in grant funding.

- Courtesy of Obici Healthcare Foundation