New Grants to Improve Health of Floridians

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF),  is announcing grants to 11 Florida nonprofits that improve the health of in-need Floridians across the state. The grants are part of The Blue Foundation's biannual IMPACT Health Care (Improving Access to Health Care) grants program.

Recipients, grant totals and program areas funded are:

• Barnabas Center -- $40,797 -- dental equipment and increased access to dental clinic in Nassau County.
• Bridgeway Center -- $77,569 -- primary medical care for people involved with Bridgeway Center's mental health program in Okaloosa County.
• Caridad Center -- $75,000 -- implementation of electronic health record enhancement equipment for uninsured of Palm Beach County.
• Center for Health Equity -- $66,000 -- medical screenings and education for preconceptual African American woman living in Gadsden County.
• Dade County Dental Research Clinic – Community Smiles -- $100,000 -- lab and dental supplies; educational materials and staff for a dental clinic serving in-need residents of Miami-Dade County.
• Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco -- $30,000 -- continued free medical and dental care for uninsured and underserved residents of Pasco County.
• Haitian American Association Against Cancer-- $50,000 -- breast and cervical cancer education and screenings for Haitian women living in Miami-Dade County.
• Lakeland Volunteers In Medicine -- $100,000 -- comprehensive dental care for in-need residents of Polk County.
• Mission House -- $48,000 -- continued medical care for homeless people residing in Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville beaches.
• Shepherd's Hope -- $100,000 -- care coordinator to organize a network of volunteers that provides specialty medical care for uninsured residents of Seminole County.
• Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation -- $75,305 -- portable ultrasound and partial physician compensation to improve prenatal care among rural areas of Gadsden, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties.

"With unemployment rates in Florida more than 11 percent, the futures of many Floridians are uncertain," said Susan Towler, vice president, The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida.   "Thanks to the hard work and dedication of these organizations, the people of Florida have access to health care. The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida is truly proud to be a partner."

Through strategic philanthropy, The Blue Foundation supports community-based solutions that address the health care needs of Floridians.

The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida is a separate, philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF), incorporated in the state of Florida. The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, and its parent, BCBSF, are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information on The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, please visit its Web site at www.bluefoundationfl.com.

SOURCE The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida