Madison County Rural Health Council (MCRHC) has received a $30,000 Health Equity Innovation Award (HEIA) to support their doula program. The awards program provides financial support to community programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities across Excellus BCBS’s upstate New York service area.
The program promotes and provides doula services to community members who qualify as low-income and may have challenges accessing prenatal, birth, and postnatal support. Funding will also be used to expand doula services into Oneida County and to have individuals trained as end-of-life doulas.
“Madison County Rural Health Council is thankful for the strong community partnerships and opportunities provided to strengthen our Birthing Doula Program. We are fortunate the Excellus BCBS Health Equity Innovation Award has also provided an opportunity to have individuals trained as end-of-life doulas,” says Madison County Rural Health Council’s Executive Director, Christine Paul.
Doulas are non-medical professionals who are trained to provide emotional support to assist and advocate for patients and their families. In the pregnancy setting, doulas provide emotional and physical support and advice before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth. End of Life doulas assist both the dying person and their loved ones before, during and after death. In addition to emotional and physical support, an end-of-life doula provides education about the dying process, what’s to expect and guidance through the grieving process.
MCRHC is one of 20 nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations from across Excellus BCBS’s upstate New York service area including the Rochester, Central New York, Utica/North Country, and Southern Tier regions who received HEIA funding.
Organizations were invited to apply for HEIA grants to receive up to $30,000 to help fund initiatives, programs, and research that specifically target the root causes of health inequities, with a focus on addressing structural racism. Applicants were assessed based on clear, defined goals and measurable results for reducing health disparities and improving health equity, and 20 grant recipients were selected following a comprehensive review process that included input from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The awards represent more than $520,000 in financial support for community programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities across the Health Plan’s upstate New York service area.
“We’re committed to using our resources to support community partnerships and initiatives that directly target health disparities, promote access to care, and address the underlying social determinants of health,” said Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield regional president. “We are proud to award the Madison County Rural Health Council with this funding to support the needs of families through their doula programming.”
Excellus BCBS is committed to supporting local organizations that improve community health. The company’s corporate giving follows all applicable laws and regulations and does not support funding organizations that conflict with its corporate mission, goals, policies or products.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Utica region encompasses Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and St. Lawrence counties.
For more information about Madison County Rural Health Council and their doula program, please visit mcruralhealthcouncil.org/program/doula.
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From left: Shayna Keller, community investments and partnerships manager for Excellus BCBS; Stephanie Henry, deputy director, Madison County Rural Health Council; Eve Van de Wal, regional president Excellus BCBS; and Christine Paul, executive director, Madison County Rural Health Council, join together at the check presentation.
Contact:
Scott Gwilt, scott.gwilt@excellus.com
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 1.5 million upstate New York members. The company's mission is to help people live healthier and more secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care. Its products and services include cost-saving prescription drug discounts, wellness tracking tools and access to telemedicine. With about 4,500 employees, the company is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce to foster innovation and better serve its members. It also encourages employees to engage in their communities by providing paid volunteer time off as one of many benefits. To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com.
The Madison County Rural Health Council, Inc. (MCRHC) was established in April 2013 by a consortium of organizations representing the largest providers of health and social services in the county. Through the Madison County Rural Health Council, local providers are better able to coordinate the county-wide alignment of health care resources, expertise and services, and evidence-based practices to meet health needs in our communities. Madison County Rural Health Council is structured as a rural health council, organized to wrap around the communities most vulnerable needs.
