Will provide more than $300,000 over next three years
PIKEVILLE, Ky. (May 11, 2015) — University and Louisville and KentuckyOne Health have agreed to become presenting partners of Shaping our Appalachian Region (SOAR), providing more than $300,000 in support over the next three years.
SOAR was established in 2013 by Gov. Steve Beshear and Rep. Hal Rogers to seek ways to improve the economic possibilities and quality of life in Eastern Kentucky, especially in areas hurt by the loss of coal jobs.
UofL for years has worked with Dataseam to utilize downtime on computers in schools in the region to create a supercomputer grid to speed the design process of potential anti-cancer drugs, while at the same time bringing those computers to the schools. Additionally, UofL has been very active in Remote Area Medicine programs in the region. These programs bring health care providers to underserved areas for large-scale clinics so people are able to receive care not otherwise available. Through the utilization of telemedicine, UofL neurologists have for years been assisting rural physicians with the diagnosis and treatment of strokes. UofL pediatricians are situated throughout the state, helping to fill the gaps in underserved areas.
For nearly 20 years, KentuckyOne Health facilities in Appalachia and surrounding communities have led a community-based program to provide home visits for patients following hospital discharge. Today, the Appalachian Outreach program covers 15 counties in eastern Kentucky, making contacts with more than 12,000 individuals each year. This regionally focused program provides a range of wellness support to help patients, caregivers and their families better understand their health and better manage their ongoing health and well-being.
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