The Obici Healthcare Foundation recently announced the awarding of $2.2 million in grants to 28 nonprofit organizations serving Western Tidewater.

“The Foundation Board of Directors and staff are excited by the quality of the programs being offered by this group of grantees committed to providing care in the Foundation’s service area,” said Foundation Chairman George Y. Birdsong.

“Grants made by the Foundation continue Amedeo Obici’s legacy of improving the health status of people living in the service area,” said Foundation Executive Director Gina Pitrone.

The foundation was created in 2006 with assets established through the generosity of Planters Peanuts founder Amedeo Obici and funds from the merger of Louise Obici Memorial Hospital and Sentara Healthcare.  Since its inception, the Foundation has provided more than $27 million in grant funding.

Award amounts among new and renewed grantees range from $11,250 up to $500,000.

The grantees are as follows:

• American Diabetes Association — $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 — $112,500 for the Care-A-Van, which provides free, mobile medical services to medically underserved in Western Tidewater.
• City of Suffolk Parks and Recreation — $23,844 for Get Up and Get Out, which will provide youth with opportunities to increase physical activity and improve healthy eating choices.
• Eastern Virginia Medical School — $25,000 for Specialty Care Center Project to plan for the establishment of a Specialty Care Center that will improve access to specialty care and decrease complications associated with pre-diabetes and diabetes.
• Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia — $37,500 to provide diabetic clients with high nutritional value foods from the Foodbank’s Suffolk Mobile Pantry.
• ForKids, Inc. — $56,250 for Rapid Re-Housing and Emergency Medical Needs to improve access to medical and mental health services for homeless families by connecting them to services.
• Horizon Health Services — $75,000 to provide dental care and smoking cessation services in Franklin, Southampton, Surry and Sussex service areas.
• Paul D. Camp Community College — $72,000 to renovate the Suffolk Health Sciences Skills Laboratory into a modern, innovative space to meet the needs of nursing students.
• RX Partnership — $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 — $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 — $37,500 to provide uninsured patients with case management services that improve self-care disease management skills from hospital to home.
• Sentara Obici Hospital — $22,563 to purchase necessary telemedicine equipment to improve access to behavioral health services in the emergency departments at Sentara Obici Hospital and BelleHarbour.
• Sentara Obici Hospital — $75,000 to provide Life Coaches in Sentara Obici Hospital’s Emergency Room who will help uninsured and underinsured patients obtain primary care services or other resources.
• Suffolk Family YMCA $20,625 to increase cardiovascular fitness, physical strength and life skills for youth participating in an after-school jump rope program.
• Suffolk Public Schools — $75,000 to develop and implement After-School Challenge Clubs focused on obesity prevention and to sustain salad bars in cafeterias for better nutrition.
• Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority — $61,379 to help public housing residents learn about the prevention and management of chronic disease.
• Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority — $50,000 to raise awareness among residents of public housing communities in Suffolk about the health hazards from exposure to secondhand smoke in public places and reduce the number of smokers.
• Suffolk Salvation Army Corps — $11,250 to provide low-income persons with transportation to doctors, hospitals and pharmacies.
• The Genieve Shelter — $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 — $12,000 to coordinate services among homelessness continuum of care providers, including the management of housing, healthcare and support services.
• The Planning Council — $53,027 to support a Suffolk outreach initiative that enrolls uninsured children in FAMIS.
• Virginia Healthcare Foundation — $25,000 to continue participation in the patient Medication Assistance Program with technological upgrades.
• Virginia Legal Aid Society — $75,000 to help disabled clients navigate the Medicaid and Medicare application and appeals processes.
• Virginia Supportive Housing — $11,250 to provide case management and access to medical and mental health services to disabled persons residing in permanent supportive housing.
• Western Tidewater Community Services Board — $100,000 to continue Western Tidewater’s first outpatient medical detoxification program that provides daily testing, counseling, support and referral services to substance abusers.
• Western Tidewater Free Clinic — $500,000 to provide operational support for medical and dental care, and chronic disease management for uninsured patients.
• Western Tidewater Health District — $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 — $134,274 to provide telehealth monitoring services for chronic disease patients who frequently visit emergency rooms and to improve chronic disease self-management.