The United Health Foundation, UnitedHealth Group's philanthropic arm, is partnering with The Health Wagon, a Wise, Va.-based free clinic for the underserved areas of the Appalachian region.
Within the partnership, the foundation will provide a three-year, $1 million grant to expand The Health Wagon's services across the largely rural six-county region. New services funded by the grant will include mammography, ultrasound, X-ray and dental offerings, while existing services will be able to expand to more people, both via telehealth and in person at The Health Wagon's two mobile units, two stationary clinics and regular pop-up events.
The Health Wagon, which was founded in 1980, is the only free clinic in the region. In 2018 alone, the organization served more than 4,700 people, providing over $5.6 million in healthcare services.
"We know from experience that early detection and treatment of disease is vital for improving the health and well-being of the people we serve," Teresa Tyson, DNP, executive director of The Health Wagon, said in a statement. "We welcome the United Health Foundation's partnership in expanding life-saving specialty and diagnostic care for thousands of medically underserved individuals and families living in southwest Virginia."
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