PARIS, TN – Multiple grants held by the Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation, Inc. are working to provide valuable programs and services to Henry County and the surrounding communities. The Healthcare Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was established in 1994 to extend the work of the Henry County Medical Center and to promote wellness through community initiatives. Since 2006 via the West Tennessee Delta Rural Health Initiative, or GrowWellTN, which the Healthcare Foundation is a part of, programs such as pharmacy assistance, chronic disease management, workplace wellness, and telehealth services are provided to the area.
The West Tennessee Delta Rural Health Initiative is a collaborative effort of multiple healthcare and social service organizations located in rural West Tennessee. The services offered through the network are designed to address risk factors associated with chronic disease including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.
The Chronic Disease Management Program assists chronic disease patients with individualized services that include one-on-one nurse education, quarterly screenings, as well as nutritional and diabetes services. It also offers classes for chronic disease, diabetes, and pre-diabetes management, with a new round of classes beginning March 17. Additionally, pharmacy assistance allows patients to obtain medications at a reduced cost or no cost, saving patients around $300,000 a year in free or reduced medications
A chronic care disease coordinator works through Transitions Health offering one-on-one nurse education to patients enrolled in Medicare’s chronic care management program. She works with coordination of care for these patients and assists with the chronic disease management program. Furthermore, a care navigator located at Henry County Medical Center maintains early and regular post-discharge patient and family contact to ensure a smooth post-discharge course. Between 2015 and 2020, Henry County Medical Center reduced all-payor, all-cause, 30-day hospital readmissions by 31% and is sustaining that success into 2022.
The Foundation received a HRSA grant in 2019 that is paving the way for increased access to healthcare via telehealth services. New clinics and service lines are continually being added, with primary care, nutrition counseling, and behavioral health being available at this time. Increased community education regarding the usefulness of telehealth for both patients and providers is a goal of this program, as well as allowing patients to receive quality care when and where they need it. Appointments are always accepted, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. More information on telehealth services is available under the “Services and Specialties” tab on our website.
Multiple grants have been received to promote community COVID-19 vaccination and access to COVID-19 testing kits though the Healthcare Foundation as well as our Rural Health Clinics: Transitions Health, Eagle Creek Clinic, Paris Pulmonary Clinic, and Paris Pediatrics. These programs have allowed for multiple events throughout Henry County to provide vaccinations to those individuals wishing to receive it but who are unable to make it to an appointment, or who needed an easier way to obtain vaccination. Wellness kits including pulse oximeters, thermometers, N95 masks, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests, and more have also been provided via community drive-thru events to ensure that each person within the community has access to the resources they need to keep themselves and their family well during this time.
There are new community events happening monthly that allow us to take better care of our community thanks to the Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation as well as Henry County Medical Center. We are more than a hospital; we are a partner in your health and the health of your families. A full list of events and content may be found on our website at www.hcmc-tn.org or by calling the Henry County Medical Center FindLine at (731) 644-3463. You can also access all the programs and work that the West Tennessee Delta Rural Health Initiative does in the 18 counties we serve at www.growelltn.org.
About the Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation
The Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization founded in 1994. The Foundation was established to enhance and improve the health of all citizens of Henry County through philanthropic support of the programs and services of Henry County Medical Center. There is a particular emphasis placed on wellness education, community outreach, scholarships for students pursuing a health care career, and support of health improvement programs that otherwise could not be implemented.
About Henry County Medical Center
Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region. Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Additionally, HCMC owns and operates 7 provider clinics in various specialties. Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org.