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GE Foundation Awards

In Photo: (left to right) Domingo Barrios Founder of The Nonprofit Coach, LLC, Marcie Tipton, El Centro Assistant Executive Officer, Jeff Immelt, GE Chairman and CEO, Mary Jo May, El Centro CEO, Robert McStay, El Centro Board Chair, and Billy Brooks, GE Account Executive

The GE Foundation recently awarded El Centro a two year, $250,000 grant as part of a $1.25 million commitment to five Houston area community health centers, aimed at increasing access to primary care for uninsured and underserved populations across the city.

The donations expand the reach of the GE Developing Health program, a 3-year, $25 million commitment that provides grant funding and GE employee engagement to selected health centers across the United States. “GE recognizes there is a critical need in the U.S. healthcare system and the Developing Health program seeks to help fill the gap in access to quality care for underserved communities,” said Bob Corcoran, president of the GE Foundation. “Our partnership with these Houston health centers is a great example of the positive impact that can be made by combining funding with GE’s volunteer support.”

The funds will allow El Centro to launch a new pilot program for diabetic patients, centered around a shared medical appointment where patients can receive diabetes and nutrition education, get prescription refills and meet with the medical provider or behavioral health specialist in a group setting. The first group began in July at Eastwood Clinic. The shared medical appointment is being promoted as an effective method for providing chronic disease care at a time when chronic illness is on the rise. The grant also includes a volunteer component and over the next two years volunteers from GE will partner with El Centro staff to assist with long term projects in the areas of IT, accounting and marketing, as well as short term or one time projects, such as volunteering with the food pantry or helping with facilities improvement projects.