St. Francis Hospital & Health Services has received a $3,000 Rural Health Outreach Grant from MultiPlan, the nation’s oldest and largest independent PPO network. The grant will allow the hospital to expand its diabetes prevention project to additional county schools to educate 5th and 6th grade students and their families about diabetes and its prevention, and to motivate them to make behavior changes that lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
St. Francis was selected from 114 applicants and was one of only 10 to be awarded a grant through this year’s program.
“We are honored to be chosen as one of the few recipients to receive a grant from MultiPlan,” said diabetes educator and project coordinator Deb Hull.
“Diabetes is an epidemic,” Hull continued. “One out of every three children is expected to develop diabetes in their lifetime unless something is done to stop it. This Grant allows us to take diabetes prevention efforts into every 5th and 6th grade classroom in Atchison, DeKalb, Gentry and Mercer counties. Not only will these classrooms receive A Journey with Joe into Diabetes DVD, but each student will receive a DVD to take home and view with their parents. Support in the home is crucial in helping children develop healthy habits. We appreciate the efforts of MultiPlan in recognizing and helping meet the needs and challenges of rural hospitals."
Since 1995, MultiPlan's Rural Health Outreach Grant Program has awarded nearly $390,000 to help rural hospitals reach out with programs and services that address the healthcare needs of their communities.