Houston, TX [July 30, 2018] – When a patient first hears the words, “you have breast cancer,” details are often drowned out by the initial gut-punch of the news, and having a guide through the medical maze of treatment – a personal Patient Navigator is a welcomed resource. Thanks to a recent grant of $350,000 from the Episcopal Health Foundation (EFH), The Rose will now provide a continuum of free or low-cost breast healthcare through its Empower Her® Sponsorship Program for medically underserved and uninsured women throughout the 57 counties of The Episcopal Diocese of Texas (EDOT).
The grant covers almost 1,000 uninsured women and includes the initial salary for a new Community Engagement Navigator that will work to expand breast health partnerships in the Walker, Trinity, and San Jacinto counties to support screening and patient care coordination.
The Episcopal Health Foundation believes that all Texans should be able to receive affordable, high-quality medical care when and where they need it.
“We’re committed to giving everyone a fair opportunity to reach their best possible health,” said Elena Marks, EHF’s President and CEO. “That means we seek out opportunities to level the playing field so that vulnerable populations have the same chance of achieving good health as other groups.”
Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose, sees their continuing relationship with The Rose and the establishment of this new position as evidence of a shared commitment to making more focused investments and therefore greater impact over time. “We know that women in rural areas are less likely to seek out the care they need,” she said. “Investments in Community Engagement Navigators will get both the information and the access to women who otherwise would go without critical care. We appreciate our partners at Episcopal Health because they share our belief that breast healthcare is for all.”
Services will be provided at one of two centers as well as The Rose’s Mobile Mammography program offering state-of-art 3D mammography imaging. To be eligible for sponsored services, individuals must be a resident of one of the 57 counties of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and provide documentation of a net household family income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
About the Episcopal Health Foundation
The Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF) believes all Texans deserve to be healthy. EHF is committed to transform the health of our communities by going beyond just the doctor’s office. By providing millions of dollars in grants, working with congregations and community partners, and providing important research, we’re supporting solutions that address the underlying causes of poor health. EHF was established in 2013 and is based in Houston. With more than $1.2 billion in estimated assets, the Foundation operates as a supporting organization of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and works across 57 Texas counties. #HealthNotJustHealthcare
To schedule a media interview with any member of The Rose, please contact Ivis Batista at 978-885-7306 or email [email protected]. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, please visit www.therose.org.
About The Rose
Since 1986, The Rose has provided a full range of breast health services to more than one million patients. Its mission is to save lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all. As one of 12 ACR Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Centers in Houston, The Rose is led by Fellowship trained physicians and its nationally recognized Patient Navigation Program ensures access to treatment and a continuum of care for all women. As a major part of Southeast Texas’ Healthcare Safety Net, The Rose is a strong advocate for access to care. Annually, The Rose provides direct medical services to 40,000 insured and uninsured patients. Two Houston-based comprehensive Diagnostic Centers and a fleet of Mobile Mammography Coaches provide services to women throughout 45 counties in Southeast Texas.
