09
September
2015
|
13:04 PM
America/Chicago

South Texas grantmakers announce partnership to revitalize Rio Grande Valley health care

McAllen, Texas – Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation is making its mark in the Rio Grande Valley, and potentially the nation, through a bold and innovative effort to improve the health of South Texas in partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.—the largest, private funding source for health care services in South Texas. On Thursday, September 10, the Legacy Foundation will present six Rio Grande Valley agencies with grant funds totaling $3.4 million at a gathering of health care providers and advocates from across the region, to support local efforts to test strategies effective in treating diabetes and depression in communities with high rates of poverty, obesity and other associated risk factors.

The partnership between the Legacy Foundation and Methodist Healthcare Ministries took shape after the Social Innovation Fund (SIF), a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), invested in Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Sí Texas: Social Innovation for a Healthy South Texas project. The federal investment from the SIF was matched by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, and now the Legacy Foundation has stepped up to sustain the effort locally by providing a dollar-for-dollar match to each of the Rio Grande Valley organizations taking part in the project.

During the event, the Legacy Foundation will present a ceremonial check representing its current contribution to the initiative as well as present each grantee with their awards.

WHO:

  • Kevin C. Moriarty, president & CEO, Methodist Healthcare Ministries
  • Matt Gorges, chair, board of directors, Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation
  • Randall Baker, executive director, Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation
  • Judy Quisenberry, grants director, Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation

WHAT: Presentation of $3.3 million investment in Rio Grande Valley organizations with ceremonial check presentation

WHERE: McAllen Convention Center (700 Convention Center Blvd. 78501)

WHEN: Thursday, September 10, 4:00 p.m. Reception to follow at 5:00 p.m.

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About Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation

The Legacy Foundation, in the tradition of Valley Baptist Health System, invests in and serves as a catalyst for ideas, partnerships, medical education, research and programs that improve the health and quality of life in South Texas. The Foundation defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being. For more information, visit www.vblf.org.

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical, dental and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church. The mission also includes MHM's one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.