The Wyandotte Health Foundation has completed its 2013 grant funding cycle with the announcement that it has awarded $1.8 million in grants to 10 safety clinics and two other organizations that provide primary health care to persons who are poor and uninsured.
Earlier this year, the Foundation had given 13 organizations $330,000 for prevention, intervention and educational projects to improve the health of Wyandotte County residents.
Funds awarded in the two cycles totaled $2,130,000 for 2013. This brings the total to $30 million the 16-year old foundation has contributed to help provide primary care and preventive health improvement programs in the county.
“Midway through the second decade of our existence, we continue to follow our philosophy of targeting gifts to organizations that provide health care services to those most in need — persons who are poor, those without health insurance and the under-insured,” said Dr. Ray Daniels, chairman of the Foundation board of directors.
Added William Epperheimer, president and CEO, “We are devoting about 75 percent of our grant money now to clinics and other organizations that provide direct primary care. We believe our continuing grants for operating support over the years have substantially strengthened the safety net system in Wyandotte County.”
The non-profit private foundation was formed in 1997 using proceeds from the sale of Bethany Medical Center. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Daniels currently serves as chairman. He was preceded by Charles W. (Bud) Thurston, Dr. O. L. Plucker and the late Judge Cordell D. Meeks Jr.
Other members of the board include William C. Tempel, first vice chairman; Trudie Hall, second vice chairman; James White, secretary; Leon C. Logan, treasurer; Patricia Gaunce, John J. Jurcyk Jr., W. Jackson Letts, Ramon Murguia, Clarence Small and Thurston.
2013 Primary Care Grants
Cabot Westside Health Center, $55,000; Caritas Clinics (dba Duchesne Clinic), $210,000; Children's Mercy Hospital, $150,000 for the Children's Mercy West Cordell Meeks Clinic; Community Health Council of Wyandotte County, $17,500; Kansas City Free Health Clinic, $44,000; Kansas University Endowment Association, $15,000 for the JayDoc Free Clinic; Kansas University Endowment Association, $150,000 for the Silver City Health Center;
Medical Society of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties Foundation, Inc., $38,500 for the Wy/Jo Care Referral program; Southwest Boulevard Family Health Care, $240,000 for the Southwest Boulevard and Quindaro Clinics; Swope Health Services, $250,000 for the Swope Health Wyandotte and Swope West clinics, and $212,000 for the Swope Wyandotte FQHC clinic expansion;
Turner House Clinic, Inc., $170,000; Unified Government Public Health Department, $248,000 to administer and coordinate the Sonogram/Radiology Collaborative for Safety Net Clinics in Wyandotte County.
2013 Prevention, Intervention and Education Grants
Baptist Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation, $10,000; Bethel Neighborhood Center, $20,000; Budget and Financial Management Assistance, $5,000; Cancer Action, Inc., $30,000; Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, $40,000; Cultivate Kansas City, $10,000; El Centro, Inc., $15,000; The Family Conservancy, $15,000; Kansas City Community Gardens, Inc., $25,000; Kansas City Kansas School Foundation for Excellence, $15,000; The Menorah Legacy Foundation, $30,000; (Beans and Greens); Riverview Health Services, Inc., $110,000; YMCA Of Greater Kansas City, $5,000.
Special grant initiatives
In addition, the following special initiative grants were awarded during the 2013 calendar year:
Communities Creating Opportunities, $20,000; Health Reform Resource Project, $30,000; Duchesne Clinic, $24,527; Unified Government (Healthy Communities Wyandotte support), $25,000.
