Washinton County Health System recently presented $100,000 to four local organizations: Community Free Clinic, Boys & Girls Club of Washington County, Turning Point of Washington County, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Association. This year, thirteen organizations applied for a grant from the health system’s Community Benefit Fund, and four were selected as the grant recipients.
Community Free Clinic received a check for $50,000 to continue its mission of providing primary health care to uninsured persons living in Washington County. The clinic will use the funds toward the provision of tests and medications, nurse and provider services, prescription medication, lab services, and specialty clinics. Jeff Downin, Executive Director, accepted the check on behalf of the Community Free Clinic.
Buck Browning, Director of Operations, accepted a $25,000 check for the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County. The funds will be used to address teen pregnancy, substance abuse, lack of technology access and unhealthy lifestyles for 40 at-risk teens in the Hot Spot designated area. The program will focus on health and life skills, pregnancy prevention, decision making, academic/computer instruction, career and college planning, and social recreation.
Turning Point of Washington County received a check for $20,000 to enhance its work with Washington County residents with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance addictions. The funds will be used to engage experts in the field of chemical dependency to provide training and consultation to mental health care personnel. Funding also will be used to hire a certified addictions counselor to promote health improvements of underserved populations in collaboration with a homeless outreach program, a jail diversion program, and a mobile treatment program. Peter Shubiak, Executive Director, accepted the check on behalf of Turning Point.
Mary Money, MD accepted a $5,000 check on behalf of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Association. The funds will be used towards a study to demonstrate the effectiveness of pancreatic enzymes over placebos in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. This international trial is affiliated with the Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences in Poznam, Poland, and the Community Foundation of Washington County Maryland.
Washington County Health System, Inc., the parent company of Washington County Hospital, established the Community Benefits Fund to promote the health and well-being of the residents of our community. The Community Health Council, a subcommittee of the Washington County Hospital Board, selects the recipient or recipients of the Community Benefits Fund each year. Grants are awarded to organizations that work to prevent health problems and promote health improvement for underserved populations at risk
