Broadening Access to Health

A 64-year-old man went to the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center after losing his insurance. He told the physician that he had a “liver problem” and was on medication, which he had not taken in a month, due to its cost. In response, the physician conducted blood tests. The blood tests and a CT scan led the physician to suspect liver cancer. The patient was referred to a surgical oncologist at a hospital who was able to see the patient within a week and order a CT scan for him. The oncologist found a small, 3-cm mass in the patient’s liver that was suspicious for cancer. The tumor was successfully removed and the patient has since returned for follow-up care at Charles B. Wang Health Center. The patient was grateful to his physician for working with the hospital to coordinate his care and for catching his tumor early.

This is one of the many examples of how the GE Developing Health™ program is making a difference across the United States. The patient in this story was able to receive treatment as a result of the Hepatitis C Management program funded by the GE Foundation.

Developing Health is a three-year program providing GE Foundation grant funding and GE Volunteer support to nonprofit health centers across the United States.

Originally launched in 2009 as a three-year, $25-million initiative, the program was doubled to $50 million in September 2010 due to its strong success with preliminary health centers.

“The response to Developing Health™ over the last year has been overwhelming,” said Bob Corcoran, president and chairman of the GE Foundation. “We were delighted to double the program, enabling us to engage even more employees and reach more of the population in critical need of quality access to healthcare in the United States.”

In Atlanta, at the West End Medical Centers Inc., a Developing Health grant has enabled 1,500 additional pediatric patients to receive oral health and dental care. Lack of dental care is a growing problem in the Atlanta community, and without the program, many children would go without this care. In Louisville, Park DuValle Community Health Center is creating a Diabetes Center of Excellence with their grant to better serve the growing diabetic population in the area. In Baltimore, People’s Community Health Center is using its grant toward the Improved Birth Outcome Project to improve birth outcomes of 200 newborns in the Waverly community. All of these initiatives have come to life because of a Developing Health grant, and with the additional $25 million that was pledged, additional centers across the United States will be able to better serve their communities.

In addition to the grants, GE employees partner with the health centers to provide skill-based volunteer support, including Session C planning, growth playbook implementation, process improvements and regulatory and procedural compliance. Each health center is partnered with a GE Affinity Network—such as the Women’s Network, African American Forum or Asia Pacific Network—to accomplish these projects.

“I am honored to be a GE Developing Health volunteer. The program has created a situation where everyone can win,” said Bill Brewer, Master Black Belt, GE Healthcare. “I truly believe my expertise is making a difference. In addition, I find that I am gaining invaluable external experiences as well, enhancing my understanding of some of the realities healthcare workers and patients face every day.”

The program has thus far impacted 53 health centers in 14 cities, with further expansions expected. To date, they include:

• New York City—In October 2009, awarded $1 million in grants to four health centers
• Milwaukee—In March 2010, awarded $1 million in grants to four local health centers, enabling the centers to expand basic, preventative care to thousands
• Houston—In April 2010, awarded $1.25 million in grants across five partner community health centers
• Louisville—In August 2010, awarded $1 million to five health centers
• Cincinnati—In June 2010, awarded $750,000 in grants across three partner community health centers
• New Orleans—In August, awarded $2 million to Louisiana Public Health Institute to expand access to preventive, primary care, and primary mental health services for adolescents in the area
• Baltimore—In September 2010, awarded $500,000 to two health centers
• Atlanta—In September 2010, awarded $1 million to five health centers
• Fairfield County—In December 2010, awarded $1.25 million to five health center locations
• Schenectady—In January 2011, awarded $750,000 to three health center locations
• Erie—In 2011, awarded $500,000 to two health centers
• Greenville—in March 2011, awarded $750,000 to three health centers
• Salt Lake City—in April 2011, awarded $500,000 to two health centers