TMCnet News
Helen Ross McNabb Center, University of Tennessee Medical Center and the United Health Foundation to Expand Access to Substance Abuse Treatment Services in Eastern TennesseeTo help thousands of Tennesseans and their families fight substance abuse and addiction, Helen Ross McNabb Center, The University of Tennessee Medical Center and the United Health Foundation are partnering to expand access to care providers and behavioral health services throughout East Tennessee. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190710005726/en/ Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and UnitedHealthcare Community & State CEO Heather Cianfrocco discuss the United Health Foundation's new partnership with the Helen Ross McNabb Center to fight substance abuse in East Tennessee (Photo: Erika W. Bentley/Evolve Creative). A three-year, $1.05 million grant from the United Health Foundation to Helen Ross McNabb Center will help expand The University of Tennessee's Medical Center's Emergency Room Substance Misuse Harm Reduction and Engagement Program. "Every day we see the devastating effects of substance abuse and addiction on East Tennesseans," said Jerry Vagnier, president/CEO of the Helen Ross McNabb Center. "We are grateful to have a partner like the United Health Foundation to help us expand the reach of our resources and services to meet the needs of our neighbors and their families. Together we will improve the lives of the people we serve." According to America's Health Rankings, Tennessee ranks 38th in drug related deaths - with a rate of 22 per 100,000 in 2018. The drug-related death rate in Tennessee has nearly doubled over the previous 12 years.
Funding Supports Hiring of Peer Support Specialists, Expansion of Behavioral Services and Education
"We've worked very hard to provide optimal care for those in our community who seek treatment at the medical center for medical issues associated with opioid and substance use, but we know the problem of addiction remains after we've treated a patient's medical issue," said Dr. James Shamiyeh, senior vice president and chief quality officer at The University of Tennessee Medical Center. "We are proud this joint effort with the United Health Foundation and the Helen Ross McNabb Center will bring much-needed onsite and ongoing education, as well as treatment, to help many in our community work to overcome their addiction to opioids and other substances." "Helen Ross McNabb Center and The University of Tennessee Medical Center work every day to help people fight substance abuse and addiction, and we are honored to partner with them in their efforts," said Heather Cianfrocco, United Health Foundation board member and CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community & State. "Through this partnership, we are helping to expand access to mental and behavioral health services that are critical to helping build healthier communities in East Tennessee."
About Helen Ross McNabb Center
About The University of Tennessee Medical Center
About United Health Foundation
Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190710005726/en/ |