French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC), a Dignity Health Central Coast hospital, recently received a $7,500 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Grant funds will be used to support the Homeless Patient Support Program (HPSP) to provide one-time financial assistance and case-managed follow-up for medically fragile homeless patients.
The HPSP provides shelter for additional recovery time, a stay at a sober living facility (if medical conditions are substance-abuse related), transportation upon discharge, medication, and basic survival supplies. With the increasing number of homeless patients seen at FHMC, the demand for these services has grown in recent years. Medically fragile homeless patients face unique challenges while trying to recuperate with extremely limited resources. The HPSP ensures that immediate health-related needs can be met when homeless patients are discharged from FHMC.
In prior years, FHMC served an average of 300 homeless patients annually. In 2013 and 2014, FHMC saw growth to 500 patients annually. This growth trend has continued with over 700 homeless patients seen in 2015 and more than 900 homeless patients in 2016. This is the fourth grant from Bank of America for the Homeless Patient Support Program.
“We are extremely grateful to Bank of America for their continuous support and generosity,” says Alan Iftiniuk, FHMC President and CEO. “Thanks to their support, our Homeless Patient Support Program continues to enhance access to health care services for some of San Luis Obispo County’s most vulnerable community members.”
Over the past nine years, Bank of America has supported FHMC with more than $97,000 in grant funds. These grants have helped provide mentoring for student nurses, free mammograms for underserved women, cancer support groups for Spanish speaking patients, health education classes to community members, cardiovascular health education, and now increased support for homeless patients.
For more information or to make a donation, call the FHMC Foundation at 805.542.6496 or visit www.supportfrenchhospital.org.
About French Hospital Medical Center:
French Hospital Medical Center, located in San Luis Obispo, California, has been named one of the Nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics, and is rated among the top hospitals in the nation for cardiac, orthopedic and GI services. French Hospital has achieved prestigious designation as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. The Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center provide the latest innovative cardiac and imaging technology. The hospital is home to the unique Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. In addition, an expansion and modernization project is underway at French Hospital, including the new Copeland Health Education Pavilion, which provides the community access to comprehensive health care education resources free of charge. French is a Dignity Health Central Coast hospital which also includes Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, CA, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, CA, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, CA and St. John’s Pleasant Valley in Camarillo, CA. Dignity Health Central Coast is an integrated network of top quality hospitals, physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services including primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers and a full service home health agency; all recognized for quality, safety and service. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. To learn more go to http://www.dignityhealth.org/frenchhospital/