Three grants totaling $1.8 million funded by The Duke Endowment http://dukeendownment.org will enable Atrium Health https://www.carolinashealthcare.org previously called the Carolinas HealthCare System, to provide a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. The funding will enable Atrium to address population health but also improve access to cardiac care, and pediatric dental care.
The largest of the three grants for $1.1 million will fund the “Perfect Care: Personalized Cardiac Care and Collaborative” which will pilot in six hospitals within the network. The initiative aims to improve patient access and education as well as eliminate disparities in follow-up cardiac care after surgery. This Collaborative will be the first of its kind, while focusing on engaging patients and their families through remote telemonitoring.
Also, a $480,000 grant will support new food pharmacies to be operated by the “ONE Charlotte Health Alliance” which is a collaboration between Atrium Health, Novant Health, and the Mecklenburg County Health Department.
With support from The Duke Endowment, the program will include two clinic-based emergency food pharmacies and two refrigerated food vehicles, creating a comprehensive food assistance option for economically challenges areas of the community.
The Department of Oral Medicine at the Carolinas Medical Center will receive $200,000 to integrate dental care into Levine Children’s Hospital. The funding will support a pediatric dentist who will promote preventive oral health and ensure that patients who have lacked access to dental care especially those with special medical needs or chronic health issues, receive optimal dental care.