Baxter Regional Medical Centerand#39;s Community Paramedic Mobile Healthcare Program, under the leadership of Director of Ambulance Services Gerald Cantrell, RN/Paramedic, assisted by Dan Snyder, Paramedic, recently received a grant from the Blue & You Foundation. Funds awarded totaled $149,900.

The Community Paramedic Mobile Healthcare Program fills preventive healthcare gaps for an estimated 800-1,000 Baxter and Marion County patients having a history of early hospital re-admissions, frequent falls and overuse of ambulance (911) and Cline Emergency Center services. The project provides medical assessments, fall-prevention support, treatment and social services by BRMC paramedics.

From walking trails and food pantries to training first responders, the Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas touches the lives of all Arkansans. The Foundation recently awarded a total of $2,674,119 in grants to 35 health improvement programs in Arkansas.

andldquo;Our grants this year went to programs across the state that address such issues as nutrition and exercise, dental and mental health, and medical professional education,” said Patrick O’Sullivan, Executive Director of the Blue & You Foundation.

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield established the Blue and You Foundation in 2001 as a charitable foundation to promote better health in Arkansas. The Blue & You Foundation awards grants annually to non-profit or governmental organizations and programs that positively affect the health of Arkansans.

For more information about the BRMC Community Paramedic Mobile Healthcare Program, click here, call (870) 508-RISK (7475) or email communityparamedic@baxterregional.org.