SUBMITTED

LAKIN – Kearny County Hospital (KCH) and Tyson Foods jointly announced Thursday that KCH was awarded a $100,000 grant from Tyson Foods to increase care coordination services and activities to improve overall community health.

This investment will allow the Pioneer Care Advocacy Team (PCAT) of KCH to expand its population health efforts throughout the community and surrounding area. The partnership between KCH and Tyson Foods will increase the capacity of PCAT for providing care coordination services and resource acquisition. This increased capacity will improve health outcomes for individuals, families and the community.

Kendal Carswell, PCAT Director is very enthusiastic about the grant award from Tyson Foods. “PCAT was formed nearly three years ago and the team has continued to grow in an effort to expand our ability to effectively and efficiently deliver care coordination services to address social determinants of health,” he said. “This funding partnership will allow PCAT to engage with more people needing additional support services to overcome barriers for improving their health.”

Benjamin Anderson, CEO of Kearny County Hospital believes this is a transformative opportunity. “We are a health care delivery system that is committed to improving health outcomes for our patients. Through community-based research, we understand the way our patients define health and wellness and which services and systems they need to be healthier. This public-private partnership will allow us to address the social determinants of the health of our patients, with special attention to those who are most vulnerable.”

Additionally, this large investment from Tyson Foods will allow PCAT to improve its efforts in specifically addressing diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These funds and partnership will also enhance its work in reducing non-emergent emergency department use by more readily connecting people with the right care, at the right place, at the right time.

“We’ve taken a close look at healthcare opportunities in Tyson Foods communities and this investment represents our willingness to listen to key stakeholders and understand where we can make the most impact,” said Debra Vernon, senior director, corporate social responsibility for Tyson Foods.

For more information, please visit www.kearnycountyhospital.com.