DePaolo and McIntyre Cut Ribbon to Open the Bolton Health and Wellness Center
2/7/2004 12:00:00 AM
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Wilmington, N.C.—The University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo along with Congressman Mike McIntyre celebrated the opening of the Bolton Health and Wellness Center today.
Bolton, located in Southeastern North Carolina, has the highest rate in the nation of prostate cancer and the highest rate of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes in the state among African Americans. Until recently, Bolton’s population had minimal access to health care, but now, a multifaceted collaborative health project, spearheaded by UNCW’s School of Nursing, is at work to change that.
“Under the leadership of the UNC Wilmington School of Nursing and with the help of Congressman Mike McIntyre, a wonderful health partnership has been formed to bring access to primary health care to a previously underserved community,” Chancellor DePaolo said.
In January, the center began to accept patients. Health care services offered at the center include primary care, blood pressure and glucose screening; depression screening; counseling; community problem solving; prescription assistance; health and empowerment education. This is a nurse-managed, service-learning site for multidisciplinary students that also serves as a scholarship site for UNCW faculty and students. Some of the disciplines served will be nursing, social work, sociology, education and gerontology.
“This is a perfect outreach project for UNCW in an area that is in need. The facilities that the Bolton Health and Wellness Center will provide will go a long way in an impoverished region of the state,” said Jeff D. Etheridge Jr., chairman of the UNCW Board of Trustees.
Special guests expected to attend the grand opening are Congressman Mike McIntyre; UNCW Board of Trustee Chairman Jeff D. Etheridge Jr. of Whiteville; Mayor Frank Wilson of Bolton; Ray Jacobs president of the Waccamaw-Siouan Tribal Association; Mayor Herbert Keaton of Sandyfield; LaShonn Freeman, chairperson, Board of Bolton Health and Wellness Center; Dr. Virginia W. Adams, dean of the UNCW School of Nursing; and members of the Bolton Board of Directors.
“The people of Eastern Columbus County will benefit directly from this project; UNC Wilmington students and faculty will benefit directly from this project. But beyond that, children in this area will benefit in a way we may not have even thought possible,” said Chancellor DePaolo.
With the support of 7th Congressional District Congressman Mike McIntyre, UNCW received federal funding for the health and wellness center from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Office of Rural Health Policy. Specifically, he was instrumental in funding two grants -- $167,000 in construction money from the Health Resources and Services Administration and a $385,000 grant from the U.S. Office of Rural Health Policy, which helped with construction as well as if providing operational funds.
Along with a community board of 18, Bolton Health and Wellness Center is managed by Marie Campbell, FNPc, MSN, an experienced clinician and nurse practitioner in rural communities. Monetary and material donations to furnish the center are being accepted by the UNCW School of Nursing. Contact Stephanie David at 910/962-2659 or e-mail davids@uncw.edu.
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For more information, contact the Bolton Health and Wellness Center at 910/655-8300 and Perri Bomar at 910/962-3200 or e-mail bomarp@uncw.edu.
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