Ohio Hills Health Services Receives Grant from the Monroe County Community Foundation Through the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

Ohio Hills Health Services is pleased to announce it has received a $425 grant from the Monroe County Community Foundation through the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO). These funds were used to purchase a portable ophthalmoscope/otoscope for the Monroe Family Health Center and will assist staff to make home visits to home bound patients.

Providers and staff at Monroe Family Health Center have a strong interest in making home visits when office visits are not practical. However, lighting within the average home is rarely sufficient to conduct a thorough assessment. The ophthalmoscope/otoscope is easy to transport and is a tremendous asset in allowing the health care provider to conduct an in-depth patient evaluation.

“We are extremely grateful to the Monroe County Community Foundation for purchasing this equipment,” said Heather Saffle, BSN, Health Center Manager, Monroe Family Health Center. “We recently made a home visit to a patient who was ill, and his family was not capable of transporting him. It did not make sense to ask the family to call an ambulance. The otoscope made all of the difference in our being able to conduct a thorough assessment.”

The ophthalmoscope/otoscope has a bright light, magnification and the ability to adjust the focus. Everyone who has been to see a physician has benefitted from this equipment. It can be used to detect an ear infection, fluid in the ear, a ruptured membrane, the light shined in the eye can allow the physician or nurse to watch how the pupil reacts to light and to track eye movement.  Health care providers use the ophthalmoscope/otoscopes to screen for illness during regular check-ups.

“We want to thank the Monroe County Community Foundation for their support,” said Jeff Britton, CEO, Ohio Hills Health Services. “Your support makes a difference in our community and in the lives of the patients that we serve.”

The Monroe County Community Foundation was established in 2014 to ensure permanent support for the citizens and communities of Monroe County. A local community fund of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, MCCF works to inspire philanthropy. Local Foundation Committee members include Nikki Baker-Lude, Karena Reusser, Mick Schumacher, Taylor Abbott, and Gwynn Stewart.

The FAO is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. With the mission of creating opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy FAO partners with donors, nonprofits, and communities across the region. By growing philanthropic resources, convening partners around issues of importance, and awarding grants, FAO is working to ensure Appalachian Ohio is a region abundant in possibility.

Photo: (l-r) Nikki Baker-Lude,  Member, Monroe County Community Foundation; Heather Saffle, Manager, Monroe Family Health Center; Taylor Abbott Member, Monroe County Community Foundation; Natasha Kline, Physician Assistant, Monroe Family Health Center and Mick Schumacher, Member, Monroe County Community Foundation.