The Siemens Foundation has announced it is providing $100,000 to Community Health Centers, Inc. (CHC) to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. CHC is one of 12 receiving financial support from the non-profit organization established by Siemens USA. Aligning with its dedication to social equity, the Siemens Foundation, including funding provided to it by Siemens Healthineers, is committing a total of $1.5 million to support these critical healthcare providers so they can continue serving their communities when they are needed most.
“Community health centers are vital in our fight against COVID-19 and I’m proud of the work they do to provide Central Floridians access to lifesaving care during this pandemic,” said Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-FL). “As one of the region’s largest not-for-profit providers of health and wellness services, I'm pleased CHC is receiving this investment from the Siemens Foundation to help on the frontlines of this crisis. I want to thank Siemens for their commitment to public health.“
“These are unprecedented times, but we know that the resilience of the people of Orange County will prevail. We applaud this commitment from Siemens, and the strong support from the many Siemens employees in Central Florida, for helping our community health centers on the front lines provide equitable, quality healthcare to people who need it,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings.
CHC is continuing to deliver quality care for our patients with no disruption in hours of operation. The Siemens grant commitment will assist CHC secure additional proper personal protective equipment needed for clinical staff to see patients and test patients (if indicated) for COVID-19. CHC will also continue to implement and expand telemedicine to allow patients to be seen for a medical visit via real time video/audio visits with a medical provider. This increases access for patients who may be unable to come to the site for a visit.
“The Siemens Foundation’s recognition of Community Health Centers, Inc., a federally qualified healthcare center, which is on the very frontline, affirms our team members’ role in combatting this pandemic and encourages us all to know that others are grateful,” said Debra Andree, MD, President & Chief Executive Officer, Community Health Centers. “This unexpected recognition from this unexpected donor truly takes our breath away. We take comfort in the fact we are keeping the community you work in safe.”
CHC provides quality and compassionate primary healthcare services to insured, uninsured, underinsured, and underserved children and adults within Central Florida. CHC accepts Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurance plans. A Sliding Discount Program is available for those with or without insurance. CHC provides care to more than 66,000 patients each year in the Apopka, Bithlo, Clermont, Forest City, Groveland, Lake Ellenor, Leesburg, Meadow Woods, Pine Hills, Tavares and Winter Garden communities.
CHC was selected using equity criteria developed by the Siemens Foundation in consultation with the National Association of Community Health Centers, the Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers, and Siemens. The center is free to use the funding as it deems necessary in response to the crisis.
“As the COVID-19 crisis disproportionately threatens lower-income and medically underserved communities, it’s important for us to support the institutions that sustain our social compact,” said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “Community health centers and their staff are on the front lines providing primary care every day and they now play an especially critical role in our medical services infrastructure when emergency services and hospital settings are overwhelmed. Vital services like these are paramount to supporting equity across America.”
The $1.5 million total commitment is funded, in part, by the Siemens Healthineers Fund of the Siemens Foundation, supported by Siemens Healthineers business in the United States.
“It is a critical time to ensure all patients and families are able to access the care they need,” said Dave Pacitti, Siemens Foundation Board of Directors member; President of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.; and Head of the Americas for Siemens Healthineers. “The nation’s community health centers are a vital safety net for millions of patients, and these investments will help them to continue providing affordable care that strengthens the entire U.S. healthcare system in combatting the pandemic.”
For more information on the Siemens Foundation, follow @SFoundation on Twitter or visit siemens-foundation.org.
