Connecting with the Community

Upper Valley Medical Center’s 2017 community benefit grants continue the hospital’s support for Miami County health-related organizations to improve residents’ health and well-being. The fund was established as part of UVMC’s mission to support local programs that help serve the health needs of the community. The 2017 community benefit grants total $462,073. Since 2012, the program has awarded $2.35 million.

“Upper Valley is committed to our responsibility as a good neighbor in the community we serve,” said Becky Rice, UVMC president. “These grant recipient organizations are critical to providing more access to important health care services for our local uninsured, underinsured and underserved populations.”

A portion of the dollars will support programs designed to make a difference in the local battle against the opioid epidemic. The recipients include the Miami County Recovery Council (MCRC), Health Partners Free Clinic, Miami County Dental Clinic, Hospice of Miami County 

and Samaritan Behavioral Health Initiatives.

“We would be having a hard time doing what we are doing without the support of UVMC,” said Thom Grim, executive director, MCRC. “This has really been a godsend.” MCRC will continue to receive dollars for a community care liaison (CCL), who makes care connections for behavioral health patients being discharged from the UVMC emergency department and other care units. 

The CCL also works with the Troy Quick Response Team that visits people who have overdosed on opioids and offers to help them find treatment. MCRC and the Miami County Heroin Coalition received an additional grant to help fund a Hope House women’s social detox program. The program will mirror the Hope House men’s social detox program that began in January 2017 to help men safely withdraw from opioids. 

The other grant recipients are:

• Health Partners, Miami County’s only free clinic, will use its grant to cover administrative and utility costs.
• The Miami County Dental Clinic will use a grant to expand to a larger location in Troy, continue the Traveling Smiles programs, and create a countywide cavity-free campaign for children. 
• Samaritan Behavioral Health will continue to expand an integrated approach to behavioral health services and whole-person health from a Piqua medical office by hiring a family nurse practitioner and buying medical supplies and equipment for a primary care clinic.
• Hospice of Miami County’s grant will go toward operating the self-contained hospice unit located at UVMC and patient-related expenses not covered by insurance.