ST. CHARLES COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER RECEIVES $50,000 GRANT TO SUPPORT MOBILE MEDICAL PROGRAM

APRIL 17, 2006

The Foundation of the Mid South has awarded St. Charles Community Health Center a $50,000 Bridge Grant from the Foundation’s Hurricane Recovery and Restoration Fund in order to continue SCCHC's mobile medical unit presence in south Louisiana.

“These funds will be used for continued support of our programs and relief efforts,” stated Mark Keiser, St. Charles Community Health Center (StCCHC) CEO. "Our primary care, public health and mobile medical programs are instrumental in providing needed care to thousands of people impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We are thrilled the Foundation recognizes the importance of our efforts to the region’s recovery. We consider the Foundation’s funding an expression of trust and confidence in the quality and accessibility of the healthcare services we deliver and we look forward to serving more members of the community."

As a result of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, most major healthcare facilities in Orleans, Plaquemines, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes are no longer operational or have significantly diminished capabilities. St. Charles Community Health Center has seen its role as a health care leader and provider in the region expand as one of the few fully operational medical facilities in Southeast Louisiana providing care to the underinsured and underserved residents of the region.

To help fill the need for primary care medical services in the affected areas, St. Charles Community Health Center (SCCHC) acquired, staffed, supplied, and operated a Mobile Medical Unit immediately after the storm and ensuing floods devastated the region.
This mobile unit brought essential services to those in need throughout the region. Initially funded by a $200,000 grant from the United Way of St. Charles, the Unit brought medical services to areas left with insufficient or no medical alternatives. The Mobile Unit provides services to those in need at nominal or no charge, also providing access to some prescription medications at a reduced cost.
The StCCHC Mobile program has continued to adapt to the changing regional needs. The funding provided by The Foundation for the Mid South will help secure a Mobile Medical program as a regular resource of StCCHC to be used in St. Charles and surrounding parishes in the delivery of primary care and public health services.

The Foundation for the Mid South established the Hurricane Recovery and Restoration Fund to benefit those impacted by the hurricane disasters and the forthcoming recovery efforts. The Fund aims to aid nonprofit organizations working to rebuild the lives and communities of those affected by the disaster. More information on the foundation and how to make a tax-deductible contribution is available at www.fndmidsouth.org.

The St. Charles Community Health Center Main Campus is located at 843 Milling Avenue in Luling and can be reached at (985) 785-5800. Regular hours of operation at the Luling campus are: Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Charles Community Health Center - Kenner Pediatric Corner is located at 200 W. Esplanade, Suite 310. Open from 8am to 4:30pm Monday - Friday, appointments can be made by calling 504-464-8759.

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