Connectus Health Awarded $2M Grant from U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nonprofit health center Connectus Health is the recipient of a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The Nashville-based Federally Qualified Health Center is one of only 35 health centers in the country to receive funding aimed at improving health outcomes for patients at the highest risk of maternal morbidity and mortality.
With this funding, Connectus will continue to strengthen and expand its patient-centered model of care with innovative approaches, including bilingual services, advanced medical technology, and culturally sensitive behavioral health care for pregnant women and their families.
This funding supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s Maternal Health Blueprint to improve maternal healthcare, particularly in underserved communities. The maternal mortality rate in the United States is the highest of any developed nation in the world and more than double the rate of peer countries.
“No one in our community should go without quality healthcare, especially during their pregnancy journey,” said Suzanne Hurley, co-CEO of Connectus. “This funding helps ensure our doors are open to anyone in Nashville in need of a healthcare home – regardless of their insurance, socioeconomic, or immigration status.”
Connectus serves more than 7,000 patients annually with midwifery and women’s care, primary care, pediatrics, psychiatric services and behavioral healthcare at its Vine Hill, Priest Lake and Lenox Village locations. The midwifery and women's health team of certified nurse-midwives, nurses and medical assistants provides a full range of women's health services and attends births at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown. The Connectus team averages around 500 births annually.
Connectus is one of only two health centers in Tennessee to receive funding. In total, HRSA awarded $65 million to health centers across the country while highlighting an urgent need to improve maternal health outcomes, specifically in minority populations. Currently, Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than White women.
“Our Connectus team refuses to shy away from the maternal healthcare crisis impacting our country,” said Caroline Portis-Jenkins, co-CEO of Connectus. “We are committed to ensuring every person who comes to one of our clinics receives expert, compassionate care – on their terms.”
Connectus offers a sliding fee discount program to ensure the cost of care is never prohibitive. Patients are asked to complete an application based on income and household size to determine their visit cost.
To learn more about Connectus Health, schedule an appointment, or make a donation, call (615) 292-9770 or visit www.connectus.org.