December 12, 1996
GRANTS AWARDED TO IMPROVE
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICESSPRINGFIELD, IL -- Dr. John R. Lumpkin,
state public health director, today announced that $406,535 in Rural/Downstate
Health Act funds have been awarded to nine new projects to improve access to
primary health care services in rural and underserved areas of the state.
In addition, the Department provided $810,475 in continuation funds to 12
projects approved in previous fiscal years.
Grants were awarded in three categories: community-based primary care
centers, hospitals located in designated shortage areas and community health
centers' programs. A 15-member committee considered 26 applications from local
health departments, community-based organizations, rural hospitals, community
health/federally qualified health centers and migrant health centers.
The committee includes representatives from the Illinois Farm Bureau,
Southern Illinois University and its School of Medicine, University of Illinois
and Western Illinois University.
Funds for the Rural/Downstate Health Act first were made available in fiscal
year 1994. Once selected, projects are eligible to receive funds for up to six
years.
The new and continuing projects, listed by funding categories, include the
following:
Community-based Primary Care Centers
- Community Memorial Hospital, Monmouth, $17,000 -- The
hospital received money to purchase telemedicine equipment. This will allow the
hospital to electronically link with an existing network of hospitals and
physicians, eliminating unnecessary travel for patients in need of radiology
services.
- Macoupin County Public Health Department, Carlinville, $28,975
-- The county will establish three public health centers using
existing clinic facilities. Services to be provided will include health
screenings, mental health counseling and education programs.
- Wabash County Health Department, Mount Carmel, $50,000 --
The Wabash County Health Department and primary care physicians will establish
a rural health clinic. County residents had said access to care for
Medicaid/Medicare patients was limited.
- Herrin Hospital/Johnston City Health Center, Johnston City, $74,025
- Wood River Hospital/Madison County Health Center, East Alton, $73,000
- Dieterich Rural Health Clinic, Dieterich, $75,000
- Neoga Community Health Care Center, Neoga, $75,000
- Livingston Family Care Center, Pontiac, $6,000
Hospitals Located in Designated Shortage Areas
- Hardin County General Hospital, Rosiclare, $69,496 -- The
hospital will establish restorative and rehabilitation services and staff and
equip a physical therapy department.
- John and Mary E. Kirby Hospital, Monticello, $65,658 --
The hospital will establish a certified rural health clinic in eastern DeWitt
County and expand an existing rural physician practice and telemedicine system
by placing satellite units over the next three years in three rural clinics and
in the Piatt County Mental Health Center.
- Mercer County Hospital, Aledo, $66,996 -- The hospital
will establish a telemedicine link with St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.
Consultations with specialty physicians will be completed via the telemedicine
link, providing patients with immediate assistance.
- John and Mary E. Kirby Hospital, Monticello, $74,500
- Galena-Strauss Hospital, Galena, $57,350
- Harrisburg Medical Center, Harrisburg, $75,000
Community Health Centers' Programs
- Lake County Health Department, Waukegan, $20,975 -- The
grant will be used to add a dental hygiene office to the existing dental
services. This will help reduce the current six-month wait for an appointment
for preventive dental services.
- Roseland Christian Health Ministries, Chicago, $50,000 --
The health center will increase its physician staffing by one physician in each
of the next three years. The health ministries has been operating for three
years with limited staffing.
- Rural Health Inc., Anna, $37,435 -- Rural Health will
renovate its Dongola clinic over the next three years to bring it into
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable fire, life
and safety codes. Three examination rooms will be added to meet patient demand.
- Adolescent Health Center, Carbondale, $75,600
- Alivio Medical Center, Chicago, $75,000
- Rock Island County Primary Health Care Institute, Rock Island, $75,000
- Rural Health Inc., Vienna Clinic, Vienna, $75,000
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Illinois Department
of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone 217-782-4977
Fax 217-782-3987
TTY 800-547-0466
Questions or Comments |