The Tennessee Primary Care Association (TPCA) was awarded a $900,000 grant from United Health Foundation to help support “Tennessee Quality Connect,” a clinical initiative that connects health care professionals and patients through Community Health Centers (CHCs) using telehealth technology.

United Health Foundation awarded a $900,000 grant to the Tennessee Primary Care Association to suppo ...

United Health Foundation awarded a $900,000 grant to the Tennessee Primary Care Association to support "Tennessee Quality Connect," a clinical initiative that connects health care professionals and patients through Community Health Centers. Pictured from left to right are: UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee COO Richard Reeves, Tennessee Primary Care Association CEO Kathy Wood-Dobbins, State Rep. Harold Love, State Rep. John Ray Clemmons, Neighborhood Health CEO Mary Bufwack, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee CEO Rita Johnson-Mills. Source: Robbie Quinn

United Health Foundation awarded the grant during a community event today at Neighborhood Health’s East Side clinic in Nashville. The event brought together TPCA staff and partners, local health experts, community leaders, care providers, patients, and staff from Neighborhood Health and UnitedHealthcare to demonstrate the support for access to new health care technologies in the state.

“We are thrilled to receive United Health Foundation’s support to help us expand our work with CHCs in delivering comprehensive care for patients living with hypertension, diabetes, depression and more – especially for people living in remote areas,” said Kathy Wood-Dobbins, CEO of TPCA.

The ability to leverage technology such as telehealth extends the reach of urban-based specialty care providers, improving access to critical health services in remote and underserved areas. More than 10 million people nationwide directly benefited from using telemedicine last year, according to the American Telemedicine Association.

“We thank United Health Foundation for providing this grant to the TPCA,” said State Sen. Doug Overbey, Second District. “We have a goal to broaden access to quality medical and behavioral health services through face-to-face visits and telehealth technology, and this partnership will help us achieve that goal.”

“The Tennessee Primary Care Association’s work in the community has shown significant success in connecting people with quality health care services, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support its efforts to bring new, innovative approaches to health care,” said Rita Johnson-Mills, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee.

UnitedHealthcare serves more than 1 million people in Tennessee enrolled in employer-sponsored, individual, Medicare and Medicaid health plans, with a care provider network of 150 hospitals and more than 24,000 physicians statewide.

About the Tennessee Primary Care Association
The Tennessee Primary Care Association improves access to primary health care through leadership, advocacy, and support as the voice of Community Health Centers. TPCA’s membership is comprised of more than 30 non-profit primary care clinics operating more than 200 satellite sites that provide high quality, comprehensive primary care to people across the state. Member health centers served more than 396,000 Tennesseans in 2013 and continue to see their patient numbers grow.

About United Health Foundation
Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, United Health Foundation has committed more than $240 million to programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.

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