August 28, 2014 - Today, Nashoba Valley Medical Center is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services awarded $318,240.00 in grant funding to support successful patient programs at Nashoba Valley Medical Center. The Infrastructure and Capacity Building (ICB) grants are designed to enhance the ability of hospitals and community health centers to provide health care services to low-income patients.

“This funding will enable us to provide much needed community services to the residents of the Nashoba Valley,” said Sal Perla, president of Nashoba Valley Medical Center.

The ICB funds will support the extension of two Steward programs with a proven track record at Nashoba Valley Medical Center. For FY14, Nashoba Valley Medical Center will receive $110,445 to continue and expand the Community Health Advocate program, which engages historically underserved patient populations. The goal of the program is to help enroll eligible patients in health insurance coverage, educate them about the importance of being enrolled with a Primary Care Physician, and raise awareness about available health and wellness programs. Across the Steward system, approximately 2,000 previously uninsured patients have been enrolled in health care coverage since the initiation of the Community Health Advocate program since October 2013. On average, over 50 patients per month work with a Community Health Advocate at Nashoba Valley Medical Center.

Steward’s Behavioral Health Navigator program has played a crucial role in assessment and placement of behavioral health and substance abuse patients. In addition to performing crisis evaluations, the Behavioral Health Navigators have made referrals to primary care physicians and outpatient behavioral health services, provided information and/or counseling on smoking cessation, and connected uninsured patients to the Community Health Advocates for enrollment in Commonwealth-subsidized health programs. For FY14, Nashoba Valley Medical Center will receive $207,795 in ICB grant funding to continue and expand this program.

“Improving access to health care for our most vulnerable populations is important for the overall health of our community,” added Perla.

About Nashoba Valley Medical Center

Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) offers community-based primary care and specialty services. NVMC was awarded an A, the highest grade possible, in hospital safety by Leapfrog, and recipient of the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval. Areas of clinical strength include emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, cardiology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, oncology, orthopedics, physical therapy and general surgery. NVMC also offers a comprehensive Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Travel Clinic and Occupational Health Services. Nashoba Valley Medical Center is part of the Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest integrated community care organization in New England which combines over 3,000 physicians, 10 acute care hospitals, managed care, insurance programs, home care, an imaging operation, and a number of other post-acute services, to provide the most cost effective and highest quality of integrated patient care. Additional information is available at www.nashobamed.org.