January 23, 2020 3:45 a.m.
Mercy Medical Foundation has been selected by Pacific Source Health Plans as a recipient of a grant from the company’s Community Health Excellence program for the 2019-2020 cycle.
Kathleen Nickel from Mercy said the foundation will be getting $37,500.
The release from Mercy said that through the CHE program, funding is made available for a variety of care delivery innovations including trauma informed and culturally appropriate care, health care integration, palliative care, and chronic disease management. The release said applications are independently evaluated, and awards go to organizations that prioritize the triple aim of: improving the patient experience of care, improving the health of populations and reducing the per capita cost of health care.
Mercy Foundation President Lisa Platt said “Mercy and Mercy Foundation are committed to advancing the importance of both palliative care and advance directives for residents of our community”.
The grant funding will be used to support the efforts of palliative care specialists and volunteers from partnering agencies to increase access to both palliative care and advance directive planning.
Community meetings will be held across Douglas County to provide information and connections to appropriate resources. Trained volunteer specialists will assist community members and their families with understanding treatment options, completing an advanced directive and offering information on how to ask their primary care physician for a palliative care referral.
For more information, contact the Mercy Foundation at 677-4818.