Wake Forest University School of Medicine has received two grants totaling $585,000 from The Duke Endowment.
A grant of $360,000 will support two new programs designed to create a culture of coaching to enhance well-being and professional fulfillment in medical school leaders and faculty. Both virtual and in person coaching options are available for medical school leaders to enhance professional fulfillment and decrease burnout in academic medicine faculty.
“The Duke Endowment makes it possible for us to invest in our greatest asset – our people,” said Suzanne Danhauer, senior associate dean for faculty well-being at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. “By providing this support to our faculty leaders, we can create a leadership culture to include compassion, humility and curiosity, all ultimately positively impacting our people within the health system as well as patients and students.”
A second grant of $225,000 will aid The Health Care Connection (HCC) Access to Care program in improving access to primary and specialty care for uninsured patients within the Wilkes County community who are at or below the 200% poverty level. By using a registered nurse care manager and social work care manager, uninsured adults will be linked to primary and specialty care. Through education, case management and monitoring chronic diseases, this ongoing project will reduce hospital readmission rates and improve health outcomes.
“We are grateful for the opportunity provided by The Duke Endowment to support the uninsured communities in Wilkes County. Their support has had a great impact on keeping patients healthy and out of the hospital,” said Arleen Rash, care connection pharmacy director. “Through the Health Care Connection Access to Care program, we hope to continue this important work for our patients and community.”
“We appreciate The Duke Endowment’s support of our critical areas of need from our excellent teams who provide care to the communities in which care is delivered,” said Lisa Marshall, chief philanthropy officer and vice president for the office of philanthropy at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
“We continue to see the impact of this generous support and value this partnership with The Duke Endowment to enlist changes in health and outcomes.”
To learn more about supporting programs and services at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist or Wake Forest University School of Medicine, please contact Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations at 336-716-4589 or visit giving.wakehealth.edu.
Media contact: Jenna Kurzyna, JKurzyna@WakeHealth.edu