Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation in Asheville, North Carolina, serves health care professionals and community members in the western-most counties of North Carolina by advocating for healthy communities, increasing access to health care, fighting health inequities, and promoting wellness. The organization does this through five main charitable programs: Project Access, an interpreter network, healthy healer program, colorectal cancer screenings, and its health scholar fund.     

The CCME Foundation provided a $50,000 grant to increase access to specialty health care for older adults in Project Access. Project Access provides access to specialty health care for uninsured populations in Buncombe and Madison counties by connecting eligible patients with a network of volunteer providers, primarily uninsured patients between the ages of 18-64. Because of the Foundation’s grant funding, the Board of Directors voted to drop all age restrictions for Project Access, allowing the age restriction to be lifted. This grant focused on serving ages 60 plus and enrolling them in Project Access, screening them for social determinants of health, and connecting them to age-appropriate specialty care and community resources. Project Access is the only program in Western North Carolina that addresses the comprehensive specialty health care needs of low-income, uninsured individuals.  

Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, the funding assisted in its response to the needs of its Project Access patients. Western Carolina Medical Society partnered with the Asheville police department to distribute durable medical equipment and collaborated with local medical pop-up clinics to connect unsheltered patients with primary and specialty care providers. Other responses include assisting patients with urgent needs, such as grocery cards and utility bills, transportation, and food and medication. Because of the storm, many elderly patients were without power or contact, very isolated, and providers were having difficulties being able to help them. Recently, Project Access signed a 3-year MOU with a counseling center to ensure patients have access to mental health care after the storm.  

Learn more about the work of Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation and Project Access’ impact within the community.