Milwaukee community healthcare centers awarded $1M to increase access to primary care

The GE Foundation–the philanthropic organization of GE– and the GE Corporate Diversity Council today announced the award of $1 million in total to four Milwaukee community healthcare centers toward the goal of increasing access to primary care for uninsured and underserved populations across the city.

“Through Developing Health, GE’s Diversity Council aims to help underserved communities of all cultures across the US gain access to quality primary healthcare.”

The donations expand the reach of the GE Developing Health program, a 3-year, $25 million commitment that provides grant funding and GE employee engagement to selected healthcare centers across the United States.

“With nearly 16% of the U.S. population without health insurance, GE recognizes there is a critical need in the U.S. healthcare system and the Developing Health program seeks to fill the gap in access to quality care for underserved communities,” said Bob Corcoran, president of the GE Foundation. “Our partnership with these Milwaukee health centers is a great example of the positive impact that can be made by combining funding with GE’s volunteer support.”

The four Milwaukee medical centers are:

• the MLK Heritage Health Center;
• the Isaac Coggs Heritage Health Center;
• the Chavez Health Center; and
• the Parkway Health Center.

Each of the four health centers will receive $250,000, in two installments over two years. Milwaukee is the second city to receive grants through the GE Foundation’s Developing Health initiative after New York City. The program will eventually extend to 10 cities across the United States.

“I’ve lived in Milwaukee all my life and understand well the area’s potential, and its challenges, particularly in the area of healthcare. By partnering with these clinics to increase access to primary care we can help more people get the care they need when they need it,” said Mike Barber, VP, GE healthymagination. “This program and the volunteers supporting it are a living example of GE’s healthymagination strategy to help change the world’s approach to healthcare by touching more lives and improving quality of care.”

“I am proud of the progress we have made in my years as Governor to make Wisconsin America’s healthcare leader,” said Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. “In Wisconsin, we now have the second-highest percentage of our people with health insurance, we rank first in the nation in healthcare quality, and every child in the state has access to health insurance. Today’s commitment by GE will help ensure that we can provide basic, preventative care to thousands more people in Milwaukee who so badly need healthcare.”

In addition to the grants themselves, the program announced today includes volunteering from area GE employees drawing on their business management skills. Complementing the financial donation, this unique approach ensures that the health centers also benefit from GE’s core competencies including process improvement and business management based on the needs of clinic.

“All of us are honored to be recognized by GE for this funding and the supporting volunteers, which will allow us to increase access and improve our services for the more 30,000 patients and almost 115,000 visits we have annually,” said C.C. Henderson, president and CEO, Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. “The MLK Heritage Health Center and the Isaac Coggs Heritage Health Center offer a comprehensive range of services aimed at removing barriers, reducing disparities, and improving health and the quality of life in the community.”

“So many people are struggling to maintain their health in our community. The number of people that we see without insurance or resources to pay for health care continues to grow on a daily basis,” said John Bartkowski, president and CEO, Sixteenth Street Community Health Center. “GE’s generous donation will help support our Chavez and Parkway Health Centers’ commitment to provide care regardless of a person’s ability to pay; and help many in our area access quality health care and support services.”

Developing Health is modeled after GE’s successful philanthropic program Developing Health Globally (DHG). It is a partnership between GE Corporate Citizenship and GE Corporate Diversity Council teams that designed and launched the program in October 2009.

“GE recognizes that a diverse, healthy workforce and community is critical for a company to thrive in today’s competitive environment,” said Deborah Elam, VP and Chief Diversity Officer, GE. “Through Developing Health, GE’s Diversity Council aims to help underserved communities of all cultures across the US gain access to quality primary healthcare.”

Under the program guidelines, the GE Foundation will provide grants to the selected health centers. Grant recipients were selected based on criteria that include, but are not limited to, need, community impact, leadership, and willingness to partner with GE volunteers, transparency and accountability. The GE Foundation will not accept unsolicited requests for support.