Fetter Health Care Network has been granted the prestigious Quality Improvement Fund Maternal Health grant, a substantial $2 million allocation provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This grant, forming part of a broader initiative disbursing over $65 million to more than a dozen HRSA-funded health centers, is strategically designed to elevate the quality and accessibility of prenatal care services across the Lowcountry region, according to an official press release. The grant represents a pivotal element within an overarching, comprehensive government strategy aimed at enhancing maternal health within the United States, with a specific focus on underserved communities.
Embedded within a comprehensive two-year grant program, this award empowers Fetter to revamp maternal health services, particularly within racial and ethnic communities grappling with health disparities, as highlighted in the news release. The allocated funds will be strategically employed to foster initiatives promoting early access to care while dismantling obstacles to prenatal services. The overarching objective is to ameliorate maternal health outcomes and offer diabetes prevention measures. Moreover, the grant will facilitate the integration of maternal health services with behavioral health provisions and introduce the innovative CenteringPregnancy care model into Fetter’s prenatal offerings, via an educational support group designed for expecting mothers.
Dr. Aretha Powers, Fetter’s CEO, expressed gratitude for the substantial support, emphasizing how this grant will spearhead significant strides in enhancing community wellness. Dr. Powers stated, “This grant will allow us to procure cutting-edge equipment and expand our care staff, ensuring that expectant Lowcountry mothers and their children receive the comprehensive care they deserve.”
Fetter is planning to strategically invest in modernized equipment, encompassing ultrasound machines, telehealth devices, and examination beds. These resources will work synergistically to amplify the availability of both on-site and virtual prenatal care services, aiming to bridge gaps in maternal health services. This boost will also enable Fetter to enlarge its care staff, thereby magnifying the positive impact of its initiatives.
Fetter’s women’s health services are conveniently accessible across various Lowcountry locations, with specialized OB/GYN services based at the Charleston Family Health Center in downtown Charleston and the Women & Children’s Annex of Thaddeus J. Bell MD Family Health Center in Summerville. For further information regarding Fetter’s comprehensive services or to schedule appointments, interested individuals can visit FetterHealthCare.org or call 843-722-4112.
The financial grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is facilitated through the esteemed Health Resources and Services Administration Health Center Program.
Fetter is recognized for delivering all-encompassing healthcare solutions to insured, uninsured, and underserved residents across Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, and Dorchester counties. Fetter Health Care Network’s extensive network spans 27 distinct sites, encompassing mobile units, medical laboratories, and pharmacies.
