Dallas Fort Worth Nonprofit Business Journal

Category: Health Care

  • NAMI North Texas announces interim ED

    NAMI North Texas, a chartered affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and NAMI Texas, announces a leadership change with an interim executive director. 

    In order to ensure a seamless transition as the Board determines the long-term plan for this position, the nonprofit invited current staff member Kasey Smith, the Director of Community Partnerships, to step in as Interim Executive Director, effective immediately. Smith will immediately begin to oversee all of the work of the NAMI North Texas office and work closely with the Board and staff on fulfilling the Interim Executive Director’s responsibilities.

    “We are thrilled to have Kasey Smith step into the role of Interim Executive Director,” said Dr. Joseph Guillory, President of the NAMI North Texas Board and professor at the University of Texas at Southwestern. “Her dedication to our mission, combined with her extensive experience and leadership skills, makes her the perfect person to guide our organization through this transition period.”

    source: Press release

  • Equest announces new CEO

    The board of directors of Equest, a nonprofit organization that provides equine-assisted services to children and adults with disabilities and veterans with special needs, announced Eric Lindh as its new CEO effective immediately.

    Prior to his nine-year tenure as the CEO of Project Transformation National, Lindh served as the Executive Director of Project Transformation North Texas for 10 years. In 2015, Lindh secured an initial grant to form the national organization of Project Transformation. Lindh worked closely with Project Transformation National’s founding board of directors to develop a national replication strategy and raise over $3 million to launch and support seven new affiliated chapters. Under his leadership, the national organization grew its base of donors and partners to provide greater centralized support for the network and strengthen the organization’s capacity to positively impact young people’s lives.

    Today, the Project Transformation network consists of over 30 employees and approximately 200 young adults who implemented the organization’s programs for over 1,000 children and youth in dozens of churches and communities across the country.

    “As I step into leadership at Equest, I know that I stand on the shoulders of those who made Equest’s thriving mission and solid reputation in the therapeutic equestrian space a success. My hope is to continue the trajectory of success in serving our community, as well as raise awareness and funding that will further the impact of Equest’s mission to change lives through the transformative power of the human-horse connection. I look forward to working with Equest’s stellar staff and board members,” said Lindh.

    Lindh is a native of Dallas. He received his Master of Arts in Business/Nonprofit Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, complemented by Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes College, with a Major in Biology and Minor in Music.

    source: press release

  • NAMI North Texas raises $125,000+ with NAMIWalks 2024

    On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the community gathered at Riders Field in Frisco for the largest fundraising event of the year for NAMI North Texas, NAMIWalks 2024. This year’s theme, “I AM NAMIWALKS,” perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the event, which raised over $125,000 with 800 people attending in person and more than 1,200 total registrants.

    Founded in 1982, NAMI North Texas advocates for equitable access to mental health services, treatment, supports and research and raises awareness and hope for all of those in need. NAMIWalks North Texas not only raises vital funds for the organization but also celebrates mental health recovery, honors those who have lost their lives to mental health conditions, and raises awareness to stop the stigma surrounding mental health.

    The event was filled with fun and uplifting activities, including a resource fair, free Kona Ice for kids, a “Why I Walk” story station, and various activities for children. The pet-friendly event also welcomed lots of wagging tails, adding to the atmosphere. Walkers who raised $100 or more were rewarded with a NAMIWalks North Texas event t-shirt and other recognition gifts.

    This event was made possible by the generous support of several sponsors, including Denny’s, Texas Health Behavioral Health, Julie and Pierce Noble, Pillar Clinical Research, Carrollton Springs/Well Bridge Health Care/Collin Springs, Medical City Green Oaks Hospital/Medical City Behavioral Health McKinney, Medical City Mental Health & Wellness Center/Frisco, Teva, West Coast University, Connections Wellness Group, Neurocrine Biosciences, and NBC 5 / Telemundo 39. NAMI North Texas was honored to have Brittney Johnson, the Emmy Award-winning co-anchor of NBC 5 News at 10 p.m., serve as the honorary chair for this year’s NAMIWalks North Texas.

    “This year’s NAMIWalks North Texas was truly a remarkable event,” said Kasey Smith, Interim Executive Director of NAMI North Texas. “We are incredibly grateful to our supporters, sponsors, staff, and volunteers who made this day possible. Your dedication and enthusiasm help us raise awareness, stop the stigma surrounding mental health, and celebrate the journey of mental health recovery. Together, we are building a community of hope and resilience.”

    source: press release

  • Texas Blue Chip Program expands statewide

    Texas Blue Chip Program expands statewide

    The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute in partnership with the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), local police leadership, and The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) today announced the statewide expansion of the Texas Blue Chip Program that supports law enforcement officers with self-directed, confidential, and no-cost clinical mental health services.   

    “Texas recorded the highest number of law enforcement officer suicide deaths in 2022. While officers have avenues to seek mental health care through insurance or peer networks, and we have seen a significant decline in suicide deaths over the last year, many continue to hesitate to seek help, even in the aftermath of traumatic incidents,” said BJ Wagner, Meadows Institute Senior Vice President of Health and Public Safety. “With the statewide launch of this program, Texas is now the only state in the nation that offers both a statewide law enforcement peer support network and a program that provides anonymous and free mental health services to officers when and where they want it.”   
      
    The Texas Blue Chip Program is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at offering police officers a self-directed access point for confidential and free clinical mental health services in collaboration with the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network (TLEPN). The program introduces specially designed poker chips that are accessible at police stations and virtually on the TLEPN app. These chips grant an officer access to discreet and confidential counseling sessions with selected mental health providers who are supported by the program through generous funding from Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) and CFT’s Support for Allen Fund. The program provides officers services without having to go through an employee assistance program, officer wellness programs at a police department, a peer network, or insurance referrals.   

    The Texas Blue Chip Program was initially introduced to support police officers across the Dallas-Fort Worth and greater North Texas region in response to the events of the May 2023 shootings in Allen.     

    “Communities Foundation of Texas’ Support for Allen Fund continues to fund the organizations serving those affected by the tragedy in Allen, including the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. CFT has a long history of supporting the incredible and impactful work of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute as they work to identify equitable systemic solutions to mental health needs and to further data-driven mental health policy. At CFT, we believe that both mental health and public safety are key elements of a thriving community, and our support of Meadows’ work addresses both. Last month, we extended our initial funding with an additional three-year grant commitment to continue our support for the Texas Blue Chip program, which we see as a life-saving initiative,” said Wayne White, President and CEO at Communities Foundation of Texas.  

    Press conference participants included BJ Wagner, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute’s Senior Vice President for Health and Public Safety, Chief Special Agent Will Johnson of the BNSF Railway Police, Chief Steve Dye of the Allen Police Department, Executive Director of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Gregory Stevens, and Executive Director of the Police Chiefs Association Gene Ellis. Calvert Collins-Bratton, Chief Relationships Officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, provided opening remarks.   

    “We love this program because it allows officers to get help they need immediately and without stigma, so they can continue to serve in a healthy manner,” said Chief Steve Dye of the Allen Police Department. 

    source: press release

  • $100M gift to $5B Dallas pediatric campus unveiled

    Children’s HealthSM and UT Southwestern Medical Center announced a historic gift of $100 million from the Jean and Mack Pogue family in support of the $5 billion new Dallas pediatric campus, unveiled earlier this year. The gift from the Pogue Foundation is one of only four $100 million philanthropic gifts ever publicly announced in North Texas, and it is the largest donation yet to the new pediatric campus project, which will replace the existing Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

    “Mack and I have had the blessing of being able to support Children’s Health and UT Southwestern for many years, knowing how much they impact the well-being of patients and communities they serve,” said Jean Pogue. “Our family is proud to play a part in helping build the new Dallas pediatric campus. We’re beyond grateful for the difference it will make for future generations of children.”

    To recognize the Pogue family gift, the 33-acre site for the new Dallas pediatric campus will be named Pogue Park. The park will encompass the outdoor grounds surrounding the new facilities and will include sprawling green spaces intended to support compassionate healing and reduce stress in a restorative and natural environment.

    “For four decades, the Pogue family’s generosity has been instrumental in our ability to deliver exceptional care that is helping to shape the future of health care,” said Christopher Durovich, President and Chief Executive Officer at Children’s Health. “Pogue Park will profoundly enhance the patient and family experience in our new Dallas pediatric campus, creating a respite reflective of our mission to make life better for children.”

    Mack, who passed in early 2024, and Jean Pogue have generously provided Children’s Health and UT Southwestern with more than $200 million in support over the past 40 years. The gifts allow both institutions to deliver the best care possible while also conducting world-class scientific research that will transform health care well into the future.

    “Through their remarkable foresight and philanthropy, Mack and Jean Pogue have advanced groundbreaking research at UT Southwestern, with a special focus on children,” said Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., President of UT Southwestern Medical Center and Professor of Internal Medicine. “The discoveries they have helped make possible will come to life through the multidisciplinary, cutting-edge care that children from North Texas and beyond will receive at our new pediatric campus.”

    Bolstered by the Pogue family, Children’s Health and UT Southwestern are entering a new chapter in pediatric medical care, innovation, and research – building a brighter future for children as North Texas experiences unprecedented growth. The pediatric population in the region is expected to double by 2050, and with this growth comes the inherent need for greater access to exceptional pediatric health care.

    “This powerful gift is the latest testament to the Pogue family’s desire that every child will have access to high-quality care when and where they need it,” said Brent Christopher, President of the Children’s Medical Center Foundation. “Their quiet generosity in support of health care and research has greatly benefited each of our lives in one way or another across Dallas and far beyond.”

    Children’s Health and UT Southwestern unveiled plans in February for a new $5 billion Dallas pediatric campus. Located in Dallas’ Southwestern Medical District directly across from UT Southwestern’s William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, the new Dallas pediatric campus will also be a joint hub for innovation, academic research and training, and the development of lifesaving technologies.

    source: press release

  • Delighted to Doula expands to Fort Worth and Houston

    Delighted to Doula expands to Fort Worth and Houston

    For parents, the first few weeks and months with their babies are some of the hardest. In Houston and Fort Worth, families now have a new resource to help them through the “fourth trimester.”

    Delighted to Doula, a nonprofit that’s been supporting new parents with postpartum doula services in Dallas for the last four years, is now serving Fort Worth and Houston.

    “Birth is so unpredictable,” said Prinscilla Moore, founder and president of Delighted to Doula. “Nobody knows that they’re going to have postpartum depression. No one goes into birth thinking they may die.”

    Those are frightening possibilities, but they’re real. Nationwide, postpartum depression and anxiety affect 1 in 5 new mothers, according to the National Institutes of Health. And Texas is in the grips of a maternal health crisis, with a maternal death rate 19 percent higher than the national average, according to the March of Dimes. Those problems are more pronounced in Houston, particularly among women of color. Knowledgeable, consistent care from experienced postpartum doulas can vastly improve outcomes for new moms.

    “We are working to eliminate maternal mortality in historically underserved communities with unbiased, non-judgmental postpartum care and education,” said Moore, who is also president of the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, (CAPPA) one of the largest certification organizations for doulas, lactation educators, and childbirth educators.

    Moore and her team of postpartum doulas meet parents where they are, literally–the first several weeks of an engagement happens in the home, where mothers, fathers, and birthing people get evidence-based education, support, and nurturing for the full range of struggles that often come up, including:

    • Breastfeeding support
    • Wellness assessments
    • Respite care for new parents
    • Delivery of postpartum recovery items for mothers, such as pumping bras, bathing essentials, pads, and other essentials needed for mothers recovery.

    Delighted to Doula’s approach is built on partnership. Santa Maria Hostel have helped make the agency’s expansion into Houston possible, while The Morris Foundation paved the way for Delighted to Doula to serve in Fort Worth.

    The Boone Family Foundation, The United Way and Nexus Recovery Center are longtime supporters of Delighted to Doula’s work in Dallas. The organization was recently featured in the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Social Innovation Accelerator, a program aimed at scaling social impact in north Texas.

    source: press release

  • Fort Worth Academy’s student-led Philanthropy Lab donates to Community Healthcare of Texas

    Community Healthcare of Texas, the state’s leading non-profit hospice and palliative care provider, has been chosen by middle school students from Fort Worth Academy to receive a generous donation.

    The students, part of the Philanthropy Lab class taught by Mindy Poitevent, undertook a rigorous process to choose Community Healthcare of Texas. “The class was initially created to teach the students the importance of giving time, talent, and money without expecting anything in return,” explained Ms. Poitevent. “Each student researches and presents an organization to the class. By the end of the semester, the students must be in 100% agreement on which organizations to give to and how much to give each. This is always more challenging than they anticipate.” 

    John Li, an 8th-grade student who moved to the United States from China with his family in 2022, chose to research Community Healthcare of Texas after a conversation with his father. “My dad told me that in America, healthcare is very expensive for people who don’t have insurance, especially for older people who do not have a lot of income,” said John. He believes his classmates voted for Community Healthcare of Texas because “this organization really helps people.”

    Karen Derrick, Chief Development Officer at Community Healthcare of Texas, expressed her admiration for the students at Fort Worth Academy, who are already motivating others to contribute. “When news about John Li and his classmates’ efforts reached our donors, it inspired another generous community member to match the donation from the Philanthropy Lab,” she said.

    “We are profoundly honored and thankful for the support from our entire community, particularly the young people who have made a significant impact on the lives of our patients and their families,” Ms. Derrick added.

    source: press release

  • First-in-state maternal health initiative to launch in Tarrant County

    First-in-state maternal health initiative to launch in Tarrant County

    United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) announced a new maternal health initiative, TeamBirth, to ensure every person giving birth in Tarrant County has a voice in their care.

    To an audience of more than 400 in attendance at the annual Women United Investing in Impact Luncheon, UWTC President and CEO, Leah M. King announced that seven hospitals within the JPS Hospital Network, Texas Health Resources and Baylor Scott & White will be among the first TeamBirth cohort in the state of Texas.

    TeamBirth is a communication and teamwork process that aims to close communication gaps that challenge the safety and dignity of people giving birth.

    “According to the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Biennial Report released by the Texas Health and Human Services in December 2022, many maternal deaths are preventable, with some caused by discrimination and lack of trust of the medical system,” King said. “It’s incumbent of hospitals, organizations like United Way of Tarrant County, individuals and philanthropists to come together to support the most important time in a family’s life. Once we do that, we have a better shot of moms, children and families being healthier. We’re proud to say Tarrant County will be the first in the state to implement a program that is known to make a difference in maternal health outcomes.”

    A central component of TeamBirth is a shared planning board located in all labor and delivery rooms to name the team, elevate the patient’s birth preferences, and outline care plans and progress for the patient and the baby. JPS Health Network, the presenting sponsor for the Women United luncheon, was on hand for the announcement and expressed their enthusiasm for integrating this program into their labor and delivery operations.

    “JPS Health Network is dedicated to providing for the complete healthcare needs of women in Tarrant County,” said JPS Health Network President and CEO Karen Duncan, MD. “We provide services and support for women who are seeking prenatal care, childbirth services, and well-woman care at every stage of life. Through our partnership with TeamBirth, we look forward to implementing strategies which will lead to better maternal health outcomes and improve communication and teamwork during labor for the patient, family and baby.”

    The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. has been rising for decades, and Tarrant County is not immune. UWTC has been at the forefront of this issue for a couple of years as part of the City of Fort Worth Mayor’s maternal and infant health working group and by partnering with organizations like the Child Poverty Action Lab to train more than 120 individuals to serve as doulas, educating expectant mothers during pregnancy and providing a helping hand postpartum. Several of those doulas were on hand for the announcement.

    “Doulas are an integral part of addressing maternal mortality, but the system and structure in the hospitals is important for them to be successful,” said TeamBirth’s Director Amber Weiseth, DNP, MSN, RN. “The goal for TeamBirth is to empower all members of the care team— including the patient—to play an active role in shared decision-making to improve the safety and quality of care. How a woman is treated during her birth experience, is empowered and listened to, translates to how she interacts with the healthcare system throughout her life. We want to build this trust.”

    TeamBirth was developed and rigorously tested by Ariadne Labs, a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

    In clinical trials conducted by Ariadne Labs across four states, 90% of patients of the TeamBirth system said they felt their preferences made a difference in the care they received, 98% of patients reported that their clinical team talked with them in a way they could understand, and 97% of patients said they had the decision-making role they wanted in labor. This dedication to patient care is paramount for Baylor Scott & White, the Community Impact Sponsor for the Women United luncheon.

    “We continuously look for ways to better serve our patients and their growing families throughout pregnancy and the birthing process,” said Charles Williams, president at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth. “Strengthening communication between patients and care teams is an important aspect of our patient-centered approach and our team’s commitment to improving the lives of the patients and communities we serve every day.”

    TeamBirth improves care by ensuring women giving birth and the clinicians caring for them have shared input and understanding during the delivery of care. The program calls for team huddles at key decision points throughout the hospital stay. This collaborative approach aligns with the clinical approach of Texas Health Resources, who also had representatives at the luncheon.

    “We are excited to see that five of our delivering facilities in Tarrant County will be part of the growth and first cohort to implement TeamBirth,” said Mary Robinson, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing executive at Texas Health. “We believe this approach aligns with our strategy of decreasing the NTSV cesarean rate in addition to improving mortality and addressing equity in childbearing patients throughout our facilities.”

    The huddle aspect of TeamBirth ensures shared decision-making between the new parent and hospital staff in case of any unexpected changes to the delivery plan. Expectant mothers will begin to see the change in birthing hospitals across Tarrant County beginning in January 2025. For more information about this initiative contact Ariadne Labs at deliverydecisions@ariadnelabs.org. Initial support for the UWTC community doula program comes from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds administered by Tarrant County. Additional funding for the UWTC maternal health initiative has been provided by the Paul E. Andrews, Jr. Foundation, Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation, and the Morris Foundation. UWTC actively seeks funding partners to continue this work with the inclusion of TeamBirth and follow-on programming.

    source: press release

  • Prism Health North Texas receives grant for dental patients living with HIV

    Prism Health North Texas receives grant for dental patients living with HIV

    Prism Health North Texas (PHNTX) announced the receipt of a grant totaling $305,414 from Dallas County Health and Human Services’ Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Initiative. The funds will go towards preventive and restorative dentistry for people with HIV, increasing the organization’s capacity to provide needed oral health services for patients with HIV at the PHNTX Dental Care offices at Vickery Meadow and East Dallas. 

    Through the funding provided by the EHE Initiative, patients with HIV can receive oral health, patient navigation, and access to the e2Prism platform, an online document portal used for gathering documents to determine Ryan White grant funding eligibility and recertification.

    People with HIV are predisposed to certain oral health problems including dry mouth, thrust, lesions, gingivitis, sores, ulcers, and more. Most mouth health problems related to HIV are treatable, underscoring the need to increase access to care for patients with HIV before conditions escalate. 

    EHE in Dallas is an initiative that seeks to accelerate the progress in HIV prevention and treatment to reduce new transmissions by 90% in 2030. 

    The three PHNTX Dental Care clinics are located in East Dallas, Farmers Branch, and in Central Dallas at Vickery Meadow. All three of the clinics are currently accepting new patients.

    source: press release

  • Methodist Health System Foundation Announces 2024 Folsom Leadership Award

    Methodist Health System Foundation recently announced James W. Keyes as the recipient of the 2024 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award. Mr. Keyes is a business and civic leader, philanthropist, author, artist, musician, and commercial pilot. This prestigious award recognizes individuals whose demonstrated commitment to, and excellence in, community leadership emulates the achievements of former Dallas Mayor Robert S. Folsom.

    The award will be presented at a dinner on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel’s Chantilly Ballroom.

    Methodist Health System Foundation President James M. Johnston said, “We are honored to celebrate Jim Keyes. Like Bob Folsom, Jim has had a lifelong commitment to education, has been a global business leader, and has provided leadership and support of many philanthropic endeavors in Dallas and beyond.”

    Mr. Keyes has designated that proceeds from this year’s Folsom event benefit the transformation of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. This will better ensure that every newborn in Methodist Dallas’ service area in the city’s southern sector has the opportunity to thrive with advanced lifesaving neonatal services.

    Major underwriters of $10,000 or more will be invited to a patron party hosted by Kathryn and Craig Hall on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at their stunning home in the Hall Arts Residences located in the heart of the Dallas Arts District.

    Methodist also announces the esteemed leadership of the 2024 Folsom event to include co-chairs Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, Lottye and Bobby Lyle, and Carolyn and David Miller. 

    Last year alone, Methodist Health System provided more than $182 million in unreimbursed charity care. The Folsom event has been recognized as one of Dallas’ largest fundraising events and has raised more than $22 million since 2005 to benefit Methodist Health System’s programs and services. 

    Past Folsom Leadership Award recipients include Robert S. Folsom (2005), Nancy Ann Hunt (2006), Troy Aikman (2007), first lady Laura Bush (2008), the late Norman Brinker (2009), Pat and Emmitt Smith (2010), Trevor Rees-Jones (2011), Mike Boone (2012), Rev. Mark Craig (2013), Dr. Bobby B. Lyle (2014), Jack Lowe, Jr., (2015),  Dr. R. Gerald Turner (2016), David B. Miller (2017), Texas Sen. Royce West, (2018), Michael S. Rawlings (2019), Linda and Mitch Hart (2021), and Mary and Rich Templeton (2023). 

    source: press release