The Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994.
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Corporation, which enables contributions to be tax deductible. Particular emphasis is placed on wellness education, community outreach, scholarships for students pursuing a health care career, and support of health improvement programs that otherwise could not be implemented. The mission is to enhance and improve the health of all citizens of Henry County through philanthropic support of the programs and services of West Tennessee Healthcare- Henry County Hospital.
Why does WTH Henry County Hospital need the Foundation?
The climate in health care has changed dramatically during the past decade. No longer is the hospital reimbursed for the total cost of giving care to patients. In fact, WTH- HCH provides a significant amount of free care every year.
In 2009, the hospital absorbed nearly 54 percent of all bills to make up for government program shortfalls and for people who could not pay for their medical care. As a result, when the demand for new services, new technology and improvements in the facility occur, financing must come from sources other than patient revenue.
Doesn’t my tax money support the hospital?
Tax dollars are not being used for operation of the hospital. To date, all dollars necessary to deliver health care to our community come from revenue produced through hospital services.
How will the Foundation use my donation?
New equipment, new services and facility improvements may be funded by the Foundation. Particular emphasis is placed on educational programs, community outreach, healthcare scholarships and support of charitable programs that otherwise could not be implemented. The Foundation’s projects are selected by its governing Board of Directors.
Would my donation make a difference?
Each gift, large and small, makes a great difference. Every $1 donated saves the hospital $11 to $14 in borrowed money. In addition, your gift is a lasting investment in the future of our community’s health and well-being.
You can make a donation online. Or for more information on how to make a contribution, call the Foundation office at (731) 644-8536.
Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors
WTH-HCH also has a separate 501(c)3 that serves as the fundraising arm for health initiatives at WTH-HCH, Henry County and the region that is known as the Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation, Inc. This entity is governed by a board of directors made up of board members and community members.
Healthcare Foundation Board Members
- Jennifer Culpepper, President
- Ashli Newcomb
- James Smith, Immediate Past President
- Ellen Neese Adams
- Amy Davis
- Bethany Edwards
- Cassie Weatherly
- LaShonda Williams
- Michael Sargent
- Lucas Watson
- Kina McDonald
- Traci Raymer
- Jessica Crouch
- Steven McClure
Ex-Officio Members
- Shon Johnson, HCMC Attorney
- Stephen Phillips, MD, Chief of Staff
Staff Representation
- Kelly Winston, Executive Director of Foundation
- Steve Delaney, Director of Accounting
Your Donations are Truly Appreciated
Your contributions will fund many initiatives such as clinical programs, medical research, community wellness and other areas of need. To provide a donation please complete the form below and continue with the online donation process. In order to assist with your online donation, we have provided pre-defined donation amounts. However should you wish to contribute a different amount, simply type your donation amount in the field provided.
Scholarships
Harold & Opal Plumley Scholarship
A four-year, $6,000 scholarship for a graduating senior from Henry County High School planning a career in health care. Download the scholarship application or call (731) 644-8536 to have one mailed to you.
McLean-Pedersen Endowment Scholarship
The Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation is offering one scholarship of $6,000, payable over four years ($1,500 per year) to a graduate from McKenzie High School. The scholarship will be awarded to a student pursing a career as a nurse, radiology tech, paramedic, physical therapy tech, or a respiratory tech. Students must maintain a 2.75 grade point average to keep the scholarship.
Brett Toombs- 2024 McLean- Pedersen Endowment Scholarship Winner, McKenzie High Schoolthe scholarship. Applicants must be a natural born US Citizen residing in Tennessee and must have graduated from a High School in Carroll, Weakley or Henry counties within the preceding 4 years. Download the scholarship application or call (731) 644-8536 to have one mailed to you
Capital Projects
Through the years, the Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation has supported such capital projects as the Walking Trail at Henry County Healthcare Center, Expansion of the Skilled Rehabilitation Center, the building of the new EMS Lake Station and the development of the Cardiac Rehab Program.
Additionally, the Foundation has purchased much needed equipment for the organization. To make a donation, or for more information on how to make a contribution towards upcoming capital projects, call the Foundation office at (731) 644-8536.
Designated Funds
The Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation has several established designated funds for activities at WTH Henry County Hospital and within the community. The money raised for these specific funds is used only for these endeavors.
Caring Hearts Fund
Founded in 2010, the Caring Hearts Fund was established to assist the many people in our local communities who have been touched by cancer. Caring Hearts strives to provide comprehensive patient/family support services and community outreach to Henry, Stewart, Weakley, Benton and Carroll Counties. Download the brochure.
The fund provides financial assistance for medical bills, prescriptions, nutritional supplements, insurance co-pays and deductibles, and transportation assistance to those who have a financial need. Download the assistance application.
Sounds of Hope
This fund is utilized to off-sets the overhead costs of providing sound-based therapies to individuals with learning and communication related difficulties. Integrated Listening Systems is a non-invasive auditory re-education program, which helps the listener achieve fast, efficient auditory processing skills.
The unique listening programs “exercise” the visual, auditory and balance systems simultaneously, improving mental and physical capabilities as well as self-confidence. Clients as young as 2 ½ can benefit from iLs with no age limit for adults. A typical program involves 23-30 sessions that last approximately an hour and a half, with 1 or 2 three-week breaks in the middle. iLs has consistently shown success in improving attention difficulties, auditory processing difficulties, reading difficulties, learning difficulties, self-esteem as well as alertness, focus and energy.
Hospice Angels of Light Benevolent Fund
Since WTH Henry County Hospital Hospice is non-profit, the program will accept patients who reside in Henry County regardless of their ability to pay. Donations to this fund supplement the care of those patients who have limited benefits or no coverage.
To learn more about these funds as well as others, contact the Foundation at (731) 644-8536.
GrowWell TN | Delta Rural Health Initiative
GrowWell TN is a West Tennessee Rural Health Delta Initiative funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy of the Health Resources and Services Administration. Grow Well serves the 18 rural West Tennessee counties and focuses on programs to address needs identified by providers and residents of the region including school-based health services to proactively prevent obesity and address behavioral health among at-risk children, care coordination, chronic disease self-management, access to affordable medicines, access to medical specialists, and transportation assistance.
The target population for GrowWell TN is adults and children in rural communities throughout the region who are at risk for obesity or those who have chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
The primary partners of the GrowWell TN Consortium are WTH Paris-Henry County Healthcare Foundation and WTH Henry County Hospital, Methodist Le Bonheur Community Outreach and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and Hardeman County Community Health Center. The new initiative focuses for the 2020-2023 grant cycle include navigating the delivery of traditional programs in new and innovative ways, exploring telehealth options for providers and patients, and an emphasis on evidence-based health education for children and adults.
GrowWell TN meets quarterly and regularly participates in community meetings and events throughout the region. If you would like more information or to be involved, visit growwelltn.org or find us on Facebook.
In Henry County, the WTH Paris & Henry County Healthcare Foundation provides both Chronic Disease Case Management and Pharmacy Assistance to patients who qualify. Tina Umstead, LPN Nurse Case Manager and Community Health Specialist, along with the dedicated nurses at WTH Henry County Hospital work together to provide these services for residents of Henry County and West Tennessee.
The Foundation offers chronic disease prevention classes like Cardiac Rehab Nutrition, Pulmonary Rehab Nutrition, Living Well with Chronic Conditions, Take Control of Your Diabetes, Prevent Type 2 Diabetes and Smoking Cessation classes. To view a schedule of upcoming classes, visit the Classes & Events section of our website.
The Chronic Disease Management Program offers monthly screenings and individual chronic disease management counseling to individuals with insurance as well as those with limited or no health insurance. Chronic Disease Management screenings include:
- Blood Pressure Reading
- Blood Glucose Level
- A1C
- Lipid Panel Cholesterol
- BMI
The Pharmacy Assistance program is designed to assist individuals who have limited or no prescription drug coverage. Through this program, individuals who qualify are able to receive their prescriptions at little to no cost Learn more about the Delta Health Initiatives in the other 17 counties.
