Press Release

Release Date: December 18, 2007
HRCHC Contact: Communications Department
Telephone: (207) 861-3466
Email: Communications@HealthReach.org

HealthReach Community Health Centers Receives $25,000 JTG Foundation Grant

Waterville-The JTG Foundation recently awarded a $25,000 grant to HealthReach Community Health Centers toward the implementation of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems at Strong Area Health Center and Western Maine Family Health Center. Specifically, the money will be used to purchase backup generators for these health centers.

HealthReach Community Health Centers (HRCHC) provides medical services to 36,000 residents annually, in more than 80 towns in central and western Maine. The EMR system will replace the paper records that HRCHC is currently using, allowing HRCHC to streamline its processes and to improve patient care. EMR will give healthcare providers better access to patient data and charts, the ability to send prescriptions directly to pharmacies, and access to the latest in patient education materials. The backup generators will keep electronic information from being lost during a power outage so that staff can provide health services even during difficult times such as snow or wind storms.

"We appreciate the JTG Foundation’s generous support," says Connie Coggins, president and CEO of HealthReach. "Their grant will support our efforts to bring the newest tools for improving patient care to our practices and to participate in emergency preparedness planning in the rural communities that we serve."

HealthReach Community Health Centers is a system of eleven federally qualified, community-based health centers located in central and western Maine. Dedicated providers deliver high-quality, affordable healthcare to underserved residents in over 80 rural communities. HealthReach is a private, non-profit organization with a 30-year history, funded by patient fees, grants and individual donations.

The JTG Foundation was established by Tom Gorman of Yarmouth, Maine. It is a private foundation which makes grants that support community services, cancer care services, and mental health services in the state of Maine. The JTG Foundation also gives to organizations that provide services to the elderly and low income or disadvantaged children.