Pictured: Steffanie Sullivan, FNP in one of our two special exam rooms for Two Gen patients. Steffanie attends to patients in both the Two Gen Clinic and our primary care Clinic.
Photo credit: The Charlotte Observer's Khadejeh Nikouyah | |
Two Generation model opens in Clinic, only 2nd in nation
We are excited to announce the launch of our Two Generation care model in our on-site Clinic! Created originally by the University of Illinois Health System in 2020, it combines the critical post-partum check ups for new mothers and their babies into one wellness appointment where both are seen.
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The majority of maternity-related deaths occur in the first year after pregnancy, and 40% of women skip that vital post-partum check-up. Meanwhile, 80% of babies are seen for their first check-up. For women dealing with the difficulties of poverty while also trying to navigate motherhood, getting themselves to that appointment can be challenging.
The Two Generation model seeks to decrease those barriers and hopefully catch any concerning conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or post-partum depression early. Babies are evaluated for health, development, and any post-birth complications or conditions. The visits are affordable, as they are donation-based or billed to Medicaid, if the family is covered under the plan. And our renewed Uber Health rides grant through LISC Charlotte will provide free transportation. Mothers are also asked about other quality-of-life factors and connected to any further resources they might need to help them and their baby, such as our A Guided Journey program.
Care Ring is proud to launch this new, third arm of our maternal-child health services that seeks to reduce maternal and infant mortality and ensure mother and baby are thriving, particularly for those who are more at-risk due to socioeconomic and/or racial factors. We'd like to thank all of our donors who make this work possible, particularly the Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation and Mecklenburg County, who provide significant funding for this new innovative model of care.
To learn more, check out THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER's recent article. If you or someone you know are in need of this service, please call our Clinic at 704-375-0172 for more information.
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We're turning 70 this year!
Did you know that we were founded in October of 1955, with seed money from the United Community Services (now United Way of Greater Charlotte), and that our original name was Heart Services of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County?
If you've been a long time supporter, partner, or other affiliate, we'd love to receive your fond memories and/or photos from "back in the day!" We'll compile them for a special page on our website that we are building to commemorate this special occasion. Just reply to this email to send in your entry.
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Care Ring Board of Directors comings & goings
We are excited to welcome three new members to our Board of Directors: Shenae Dure, Joe Mihelich, and Tony Washington. Each brings a unique perspective and expertise to the organization in the areas of Human Resources, Organizational Strategy, and Health Benefits.
| | Thank you to Michael Tomsic, (pictured, R, with CEO Tchernavia Montgomery) for his recent term of service as our Board Chair. Michael will continue on our Board as Immediate Past Chair, and our new Chair will be Andrea Wages. | |  | We also honor exiting Board members Dean Cikins (pictured, L), and Phil Poley (pictured, R) for their many years of service on our Board and with our Board subcommittees. Dean has kindly offered to continue as a volunteer, helping to keep our Board alumni engaged and aware of Care Ring's activities and social events. | | | Fellow nonprofit LISC Charlotte has partnered again with us to address an important social determinant of health - access to transportation - by funding $100,000 for Uber Health rides and coordination to help our patients and clients get to important appointments. | | Chartis Foundation is the charitable arm of Chartis, and their mission is to support nonprofits who are expanding access to primary care. They have generously given $50,000 towards the continued operation of our Clinic. This is their second gift to Care Ring for access to care. | | Charlotte
Mecklenburg Community Foundation | Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation is managed by Foundation For The Carolinas. Their $25,000 gift will support our maternal-child programming, new Two Generation service in our Clinic, and our Client Choice Food Pantry, which helps lift families up and keeps them healthy. | | |
Clinic again recognized for heart health and diabetes efforts
Our Clinic has again been recognized by the American Medical Association and American Heart Association through their Target: BP initiative for our work to improve blood pressure control rates and reduce the number of patients who have heart attacks or strokes, as well as by the AHA for our work to improve heart health in those patients with Type 2 diabetes.
The Bridge multi-neighborhood pilot program ends
After a two and a half year pilot program of assessing the need and providing free mobile health screenings and connections to resources to 709 residents in various underserved neighborhoods all over Charlotte, The Bridge is settling down and will continue to serve in the Grier Heights area. We will continue to be at the 7-Eleven at 801 N. Wendover Road, from 12-4 pm on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month. Thanks to our funders and partners: Novant Health, CrossRoads Corporation, United Way of Greater Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and Mecklenburg County ABC.
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Nurse-Family Partnership graduates largest group to date
We had a whopping 86 families to graduate from the Nurse-Family Partnership program recently! These families completed the program between March and August of this year. Our graduation party was held at Park Road Baptist Church and featured family photos, decorations, snacks, a graduation cake, awarding of certificates, and fellowship with each other and their nurses who have been with them along this journey for the past two years. Twenty-two families were able to join in the festivities.
These families are thriving and achieving their highest potential in health and quality-of-life, thanks to our supporters like YOU!
NFP-CAB helps with graduation prep
Nurse-Family Partnership Community Advisory Board members JoAndrea Costner, EdD (pink blazer) and Aimee Greeter (brown & white dress) helped to assemble goodie bags for the children attending our graduation party. Aimee's mother, Susan (pink dress) also helped out. Thanks, ladies!
| | | Celebrating our Physicians Reach Out providers! | | We're taking this opportunity to share what some of our PRO providers have to say about giving back to their local community. | | | | "It has been incredibly satisfying. I am glad to be able to work with this amazing organization, and I hope to stay connected with the program as long as possible.” - Dr. Tagbo Ekwonu, Eastowne Family Physicians | | | | "PRO makes it easy for me to give back. With no minimum required commitment, I can see as many or as few patients as I want, at times that are convenient for me. Patients are so grateful for their care, and are very compliant." - Dr. Tricia Klosset, Smile Charlotte | | | |
"Often, we think about mission work in terms of going to a third-world country and taking care of vulnerable patients there. What many don’t realize is that our poor in America are also, and often equally, in need of expert medical and surgical care. Participating in PRO allows me to share my gifts in order to serve those in need right here in my own community." - Dr. Jesse Otero, OrthoCarolina
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Damenica Ellis with The Charlotte Observer reported about our new Two Generation service in our Clinic for new moms and their babies. She interviewed Care Ring staff along with Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington and Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation's Whitney Feld.
CHECK OUT THE STORY
| | Medical Professionals Charlotte magazine did a two-page spread in their April issue on how our chance encounter with Greta Bostic of commercial real estate firm Davis Moore at one of their social events lead ultimately to the creation of our new space at 1514 N. Graham Street. | |
A group of employees from Duke Energy volunteered at the Food Pantry recently. | | Donate goods or your time at our Food Pantry | |
Our Client Choice Food Pantry, in partnership with Nourish Up, is filling a great need in the North End corridor. We need volunteers Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays.
Our new "For Volunteers" video gives you a great rundown of the volunteer sign up process and day-of experience.
We are also now accepting certain item donations from the public on Mondays between 10am-12pm. Please visit our pantry page below to understand what types of items are accepted and needed.
| | | | Nearly 15% of households in Mecklenburg County are classified as food insecure. To learn more about how you can help out in our Food Pantry, click the button below. | | Please support these businesses who support us. | | | | THANK YOU TO OUR CIVIC CHAMPION | |
Care Ring is grateful for the extremely generous funding from Mecklenburg County government and its citizens as a trusted provider for our neighbors facing the challenges of poverty who need access to medical care and supportive maternity care.
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1514 N. Graham Street, Charlotte, NC 28206 | 704-375-0172 | www.careringnc.org
Care Ring is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, tax ID# 56-0621073.
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