MVHS awarded nearly $250,000 for to promote health equity and fight heart disease

UTICA, N.Y. — The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation awarded $249,947 to Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) for a new project to promote health equity and combat heart disease in the community.

The Mohawk Valley Health Partnership to Combat Heart Disease will build on and expand upon the work of the Mohawk Valley Health Equity Task Force related to COVID-19 education and equitable distribution of COVID vaccines to address the critical health-care needs among vulnerable populations in Oneida County.

The project will build on two key elements of the current task force: the use of community navigators for grassroots education and engagement and working closely with the faith community to education and engage congregations.

“As the largest healthcare organization in this community, it is important that we be a leader and a partner for the health of our community, particularly ensuring health equity among the population,” Darlene Stromstad, president and CEO of MVHS said in a release. “This project builds off the current Health Equity Task Force’s work and a commitment to expand the partnership’s initiatives. There is a mutual desire to continue collaborating to address major health issues and needs in our area, particularly among the most vulnerable populations: cardiovascular disease which has a direct tie to diabetes, stroke, and obesity.”

Funding from the grant will help expand and extend the work of community navigators, which are managed by The Center, and to hire two community health nurses. Together the nurses and navigators will offer health education services and referrals to providers, conduct health screenings in the community, assist people in obtaining health insurance, collaborate with the Visiting Nurse Association of Utica & Oneida County and Senior Network Health, and coordinate clinics in locations frequented by target populations.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with MVHS and utilizing an outreach framework that has proven successful in reaching some of our most vulnerable populations,” The Center Executive Director Shelly Callahan said. “By including members of the community as part of a public health strategy to reach diverse communities, we have positively impacted the ability of individuals and families to effectively access or utilize services, which ultimately improves health outcomes.”

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers, improve the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services.