Baltimore – (April 21, 2020) – The Siemens Foundation today announced it is providing $150,000 to Chase Brexton Health Care to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The community health center is one of 12 receiving financial support from the non-profit organization established by Siemens USA. Aligning with its dedication to social equity, the Siemens Foundation, including funding provided to it by Siemens Healthineers, is committing a total of $1.5 million to support these critical healthcare providers so they can continue serving their communities when they are needed most. Chase Brexton is free to use the funding as it deems necessary in response to the crisis.
“The Siemens Foundation recognized our critical mission of serving the health care needs of the Baltimore metropolitan area and the Eastern Shore, especially the LGBT and vulnerable populations and reached out, without our solicitation, to make a very generous grant to be able to maintain operations,” said Patrick Mutch, President and CEO of Chase Brexton Health Care. “Siemens' generosity and community commitment allow us to support our mission of providing compassionate, quality health care that honors diversity, inspires wellness, and improves our communities. Thank you, Siemens Foundation.”
At Chase Brexton’s five locations, more than 400 employees serve over 40,000 patients annually. Like many other community health centers, their biggest challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic is ensuring that they are available for patients who need to keep their primary care or behavioral health appointments, while not risking their health or furthering the spread of COVID-19. The center will use the grant to support general operations of their centers, including day-to-day patient care, testing, and treatment, both in-person and via telehealth.
"Community health centers like Chase Brexton are critical partners in our fight to slow the COVID-19 pandemic and treat patients – especially those that are uninsured or underinsured. This funding will help direct resources to Baltimore City,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen. “I’m pleased to see Chase Brexton receive this award, and I’ll keep doing my part to fight for federal funds so that hospitals and community health centers can continue to treat patients in need.”
“This partnership between the Siemens Foundation and Chase Brexton Health Care represents an important step in Baltimore’s ability to treat and care for vulnerable populations,” Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young said. “I want to personally thank the Siemens Foundation for stepping up and filling a critical need in our City. In Baltimore, we are fortunate to benefit from a number of civic-minded corporate partners.”
Chase Brexton Health Care was selected using equity criteria developed by the Siemens Foundation in consultation with the National Association of Community Health Centers, the Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers, and Siemens. In determining the 12 centers to receive funding, the Siemens Foundation prioritized centers that serve the most underserved populations, including those in poverty, the homeless, the elderly and veterans. In addition, they looked at the quality of the centers, those serving the most vulnerable to COVID-19, financial stability, need, and number of patients served overall.
“As the COVID-19 crisis disproportionately threatens lower-income and medically underserved communities, it’s vital for us to support the institutions that sustain our social compact,” said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “Community health centers and their staff are on the front lines providing primary care every day and they now play an especially vital role in our medical services infrastructure when emergency services and hospital settings are overwhelmed. Vital services like these are paramount to supporting equity across America.”
The $1.5 million total commitment is funded, in part, by the Healthineers Fund of the Siemens Foundation, supported by Siemens Healthineers business in the United States.
“It is a critical time to ensure all patients and families are able to access the care they need,” said Dave Pacitti, Siemens Foundation Board of Directors member; President of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.; and Head of the Americas for Siemens Healthineers. “The nation’s community health centers are a vital safety net for millions of patients, and these investments will help them to continue providing affordable care that strengthens the entire U.S. healthcare system in combatting the pandemic.”
For more information on the Siemens Foundation, follow @SFoundation on Twitter or visit siemens-foundation.org.
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