GE HealthCare
(Nasdaq: GEHC)
today announced the formation of a philanthropic entity to focus on advancing equitable access to healthcare.
The company established the GE HealthCare Foundation as a charitable organization, incorporated separately from GE HealthCare itself. It supports nonprofit organizations hoping to make healthcare more accessible, personal, human and flexible.
Ultimately, according to a news release, the Foundation wants to remove barriers blocking underserved communities from care. Its initial focus centers on improving maternal health outcomes around the globe.
“The GE HealthCare Foundation was born out of GE HealthCare’s legacy of delivering access to care, and a desire to advance health equity by reducing the limits and barriers faced by those in underserved communities,” said Danielle Halstrom, president of the GE HealthCare Foundation. “When we looked at where we could focus the Foundation’s first programs, the lack of resources and care for moms and babies around the world clearly indicated where we should start. Beginning our Foundation’s work, we look forward to continuing to expand that impact across other issue areas as an extension of our company’s mission striving for equitable healthcare access.”
The Foundation plans to provide grants to nonprofit organizations with proven track records. It also intends to invest in training a workforce to provide critical support and save lives throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
More about the inaugural grantees for the GE HealthCare foundation
Inaugural grantees for the GE HealthCare Foundation include the Urban Institute, Lwala Community Alliance, Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) and Project ECHO.
- Urban Institute — This nonprofit provides data and evidence to advance upward mobility and equity. The Foundation plans to fund the creation of a public knowledge base of U.S. Medicaid policies and practices related to AI and algorithmic methods. This effort aims to reduce maternal health disparities.
- Lwala Community Alliance — This community-led initiative addresses maternal and infant mortality in Kenya. The GE HealthCare Foundation plans to fund training, technology and educational resources. This should aid nurses and clinical officers in Kenya using obstetric ultrasound, increasing access for pregnant women.
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) — This is a national network of Black women-led and Black-led birth and reproductive justice organizations and professionals. The GE HealthCare Foundation hopes to raise awareness and foster improvements in Black maternal health through various ways. That includes a campaign, training institute and pilot program for an incubator hub.
- Project ECHO — This project connects medical experts with frontline health workers to build capacity and bring best-practice care to underserved and rural communities globally. The GE HealthCare Foundation aims to fund the capacity building of primary health in Indonesia. Its efforts include maternal health nutrition education and child stunting. This also extends to pre- and neonatal maternal care and safe delivery, plus family planning.
