Catholic Healthcare West recently awarded a $13,000 grant to the American Lung Association for training and resources for health educators in Yuma and Flagstaff.
CHW is the parent organization of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.
Every year, CHW and its hospitals support nonprofit organizations that provide care for multiple chronic health conditions in Arizona communities.
This year, the organization granted $425,000 in grants to 12 Arizona organizations as part of its Community Grants Program.
Marisue Garganta, director of Community Health Integration at St. Joseph’s said the grants will help improve the health and quality of life in the state’s underserved communities.
“CHW and St. Joseph’s are proud to provide support to organizations that strive to improve the health and lifestyle of Arizona’s underserved population,” Garganta said.
“We hope these grants enable the organizations to sustain their health programs and make a positive impact within the communities they serve.”
Garganta said this year CHW gave to fewer organizations than in the past, yet this resulted in more money for the recipient organizations.
Garganta said while selecting the grant recipients, initiative based on community health needs is a major factor in the selection process.
“It’s community-based care that we try to look at,” Garganta said. “We do this as a very thoughtful team.”
With the ALA, the $13,000 grant went toward helping to fund resources for people suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which is the constriction of one’s lungs.
Garganta said the disease is severe because people suffering from it aren’t able to gather enough air and in severe cases require oxygen.
“And you really don’t want them to get to that place,” Garganta said.
Garganta said the ALA uses patient materials and community educators to help people living with COPD cope with daily life.
“They help them to literally navigate their health and well-being,” Garganta said.
“This is a very well-designed program with a high level of education and workshops.”
Website: www.yumasun.com/news/garganta-67066-health-organizations.html