Developing Health Program Aims to Improve Community Access to Primary Care; Part of Nationwide, 10-City, $25M Effort
HOUSTON--Tuesday, April 27, 2010-- The GE Foundation -- the philanthropic organization of GE -- and the GE Corporate Diversity Council today announced the award of $1.25 million in total to five Houston community health centers toward the goal of increasing access to primary care for uninsured and underserved populations across the city.
The donations expand the reach of the GE Developing Health program, a 3-year, $25 million commitment that provides grant funding and GE employee engagement to selected health centers across the United States. The grant announced today in Houston is the largest grant to date for the Developing Health Program.
"GE recognizes there is a critical need in the U.S. healthcare system and the Developing Health program seeks to help fill the gap in access to quality care for underserved communities," said Bob Corcoran, president of the GE Foundation. "Our partnership with these Houston health centers is a great example of the positive impact that can be made by combining funding with GE's volunteer support."
The four Houston medical centers are:
- El Centro de Corazon (Eastwood clinic)
- Good Neighbor Health Care (Heights Blvd. location)
- Spring Branch Community Health Center (Hillendahl location)
- Two Legacy Community Health Services (Southwest and Westheimer)
Each of the five health centers will receive $250,000, in two installments over two years. Grant funds will be used by each health center to increase access to primary care; specific grant programs will be identified through a collaborative dialogue between the health center leadership and community stakeholders. Houston is the third city to receive grants through the GE Foundation's Developing Health initiative after New York City and Milwaukee. It is also the largest grant to date under the program, which will eventually extend to 10 cities across the United States.
"Houston is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country. By partnering with these clinics to increase access to primary care we can help more people get the care they need when they need it," said Mike Barber, VP, GE healthymagination. "This program and the volunteers supporting it are a living example of GE's healthymagination strategy to help change the world's approach to healthcare by touching more lives and improving quality of care."
In addition to the grants themselves, the program announced today includes volunteering from area GE employees drawing on their business management skills. Complementing the financial donation, this unique approach ensures that the health centers also benefit from GE's expertise including process improvement and business management based on the needs of clinic.
"We are honored to be recognized by GE for this funding and the supporting volunteers, which will allow us to increase access and improve our services for the more than 33,000 patients and almost 130,000 visits we have annually," said Legacy Community Health Services executive Katy Caldwell. "Legacy Community Health Services offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at removing barriers, reducing health disparities, and improving health and the quality of life in the community."
Developing Health is a partnership between GE Corporate Citizenship and GE Corporate Diversity Council teams that designed and launched the program in October 2009.
"GE recognizes that a diverse, healthy workforce and community is critical for a company to thrive in today's competitive environment," said Deborah Elam, VP and Chief Diversity Officer, GE. "Through Developing Health, GE's Diversity Council aims to help underserved communities of all cultures across the US gain access to quality primary healthcare."
Under the program guidelines, the GE Foundation will provide grants to the selected health centers. Grant recipients were selected based on criteria that include, but are not limited to, need, community impact, leadership, and willingness to partner with GE volunteers, transparency and accountability. The GE Foundation will not accept unsolicited requests for support.
For more information on Developing Health Globally, visit: http://www.ge.com/citizenship/performance_areas/communities_philanthropy_health.jsp.
For more information on Developing Health visit: http://www.ge.com/foundation/developing_health.jsp.
About the GE Foundation
The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, works to solve some of the world's most difficult problems. In coordination with its partners, it supports U.S. and international education, developing health globally, the environment, public policy, human rights and disaster relief. In addition, the GE Foundation supports GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities around the world. In 2009, the entire GE family --- including businesses, employees, retirees and GE Foundation --- contributed more than an estimated $220 million to community and educational programs, including more than $100 million from GE Foundation. For more information, visit www.gefoundation.com.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
Our "healthymagination" vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world. Healthymagination is a $6 billion commitment that was launched in May 2009.
Anne Eisele