"The dedicated employees of these four grant recipients have proven that they are open to exploring new ways to provide the best care for their patients," said Senator Collins. "These providers recognize that travel to proper medical facilities is often difficult, if not impossible for many rural, poor, and homebound patients. I applaud them for their foresight and commitment to providing the best possible health care."
Senator Collins, who was unable to attend in person, sent a representative on her behalf to a teleconference event in which delegates from nine states linked up with Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to discuss recent events in telemedicine. The USDA is granting a total of $27 million in grant funding nation-wide to provide greater educational opportunities and medical services to rural citizens in 33 states. St. Joseph''s Health Care Foundation in Bangor will receive a total of $494,750 in grant funding to improve access to specialty care for under-served northern Maine patients and improve continuing medical education for rural health professionals. It will link six new rural sites to a previously established telemedicine system using a high-speed broadband connection and provide greater access to specialty care including pulmumology, radiology, neurology, endocrinology, dermatology, and mental health services.
The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle will receive $162,543 to fund distance learning services. Continuing educational services will be delivered by using interactive video from the School of Health Professionals to provide access to educational programs in undergraduate and graduate nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
The Visiting Nurse Service of Southern Maine and Seacoast New Hampshire will use $214,956 in grant funds to expand access to health care, enhance the effectiveness of home health services, reduce costs associated with delivering care, and to expand educational opportunities.
The HealthReach Network in Waterville will receive a $500,000 grant to purchase computer equipment that will be used to link rural residents with health care facilities. The project will provide registered and hospice nurses, therapists, social workers and other health care providers with laptop computers for home visits within rural and medically undeserved areas of Maine.