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The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

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Sheila Champlin – (901) 448-4957, schampli@uthsc.edu

 

 

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Receives

$2,784,522 Grant Renewal for Blues Babies & Beyond from

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation

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Joint Commitment Extended to Reduce Infant Mortality in Memphis, Chattanooga

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Memphis, Tenn. (August 2, 2012) – The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation (THF) are pleased to announce that their collaboration titled, “Blues Babies & Beyond” has been renewed for two more years with a $2,784,522 grant.  Through Blues Babies & Beyond, UTHSC and THF are continuing to provide outreach services to more than 200 underserved women and their children in Memphis and Chattanooga.  THF funding for Blues Babies & Beyond will continue through June 2014.  

“This partnership with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center has proven effective in increasing awareness and combating infant mortality and we are eager for it to continue,” said Vicky Gregg, BlueCross CEO.

“Our joint effort reflects a major investment and commitment to improve maternal, fetal and child outcomes both in the Memphis region and throughout the state of Tennessee,” stated UTHSC Chancellor Steve J. Schwab, MD.  “The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, through its physicians, its practices and its trainees, is deeply indebted to BCBST Health Foundation for funding this enterprise for the good of all the mothers of Tennessee.”

At its core, Blues Babies & Beyond is an outreach program that will not include the delivery of any medical services by UTHSC staff, unless participants select UT Ob/Gyn providers for their medical care.  The program participants are being served by a dozen UTHSC team members who staff Blues Babies & Beyond. 

“Blues Babies & Beyond is an innovative program that plays an important intervention role in improving the prospects of one of the most vulnerable populations we have,” said Calvin Anderson, senior vice president of corporate affairs and chief of staff for BCBST.

Through Blues Babies & Beyond, participants will benefit from:

-- Community Outreach support through churches, schools and other organizations to heighten awareness of health and social risk factors relevant to infant mortality, as well as protective factors associated with improvements in maternal and child health;

-- Transportation services arranged through designated managed care providers, BlueCare and/or AmeriChoice;

-- Case Management to address medical concerns and needs; provide counseling and referrals; assist with scheduling medical appointments and follow up, plus the creation and maintenance of a case management database;

-- Patient Education with a comprehensive curriculum that includes modules on the pregnancy process (conception to delivery); life skills; maternal and infant health and well-being; social and community interactions, and postpartum care and wellness;

-- Incentives to enhance retention rates.

“I am deeply honored and I know that all of the mothers will be very thankful for the continued support and service,” said Linda Moses, MD, assistant professor in the UTHSC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, who also serves as the principal investigator for Blues Babies & Beyond. “I’m happy to serve them.”

The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation was established in December 2003 as a 501(c)(3) foundation organized to promote the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee by awarding grants focused on high impact initiatives across the state, which promote healthy lifestyle choices and help control health care costs for all Tennessee residents.  THF, working with civic and economic partners, is dedicated to the support of research, innovative programs and creative approaches to improve the health and quality of life of Tennesseans for generations to come.

 As the flagship statewide academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region, by pursuing an integrated program of education, research, clinical care, and public service.  In 2011, UT Health Science Center celebrated its centennial: 100 years advancing the future of health care.  Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main UTHSC campus is located in Memphis and includes six colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.  The UTHSC campus in Knoxville includes a College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and an Allied Health Sciences unit.  In addition, the UTHSC Chattanooga campus includes a College of Medicine and an Allied Health Sciences unit.  Since its founding in 1911, UTHSC has educated and trained more than 53,000 health care professionals on campuses and in health care facilities across the state.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

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