United Health Foundation Provides $125,000 Grant to Help Military Spouses Pursuing Health Care Careers
May 07 2015 - 12:24PM
Business Wire
- Grant to the National Military
Family Association addresses growing need for health care
professionals
- Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Friday, May 8
The National Military Family Association (NMFA), a nonprofit
that works to strengthen and protect military families, received a
$125,000 grant from United Health Foundation supporting military
spouses who are pursuing health care careers.
This funding follows a 2014 United Health Foundation grant of
$100,000 to NMFA to advance the careers and ease the financial
burdens of military spouses specifically entering the mental health
profession. After seeing the results of the initial grant, the
scope of this funding was broadened to primary care to lend
assistance to even more military spouses as they bring their unique
skills to careers in health care.
There is a strong need in the United States for a greater number
of health care providers who are sensitive to both the physical and
mental health needs of the military community. A recent study
sponsored by United Health Foundation in partnership with the
Military Officers Association of America, and conducted by the RAND
Corporation highlighted the importance of providing culturally
competent, evidenced-based care to military service members and
veterans. The study, “Ready to Serve: An Assessment of
Community-Based Provider Capacity to Deliver Competent, Quality
Care to Veterans and Their Families,” found that few
community-based care providers met criteria for military cultural
competency or used evidence-based approaches to treat health issues
commonly seen among veterans.
“United Health Foundation’s support helps level the playing
field for spouses seeking careers despite the challenges of the
military lifestyle, and spurs spouses into portable, high-demand
fields that are essential to career continuity in our very mobile
lifestyle,” said Joyce Raezer, executive director of NMFA. “We are
very proud to announce this grant as we celebrate Military Spouse
Appreciation Day on May 8th.”
“Military spouses often must make large sacrifices, and these
scholarships support them in creating and developing their own
career,” said John Mateczun, M.D., president, UnitedHealthcare
Military & Veterans. “We recognize the increasing demand for
qualified health care providers to meet the unique needs of the men
and women who have served our country. United Health Foundation is
grateful for the opportunity to support NMFA and help foster a
uniquely qualified and diverse health care work force to meet those
needs.”
United Health Foundation scholarship recipient Erin Marden, a
mental health counseling candidate, noted that the funds helped
offset some hurdles of the military lifestyle.
“It’s a challenge for spouses to continue education or a career
while dealing with moving, deployments and reintegration. We moved
from one small town to an even smaller, more rural area. It took
months to find a job in an otherwise high-demand field, and when I
did, I had to complete additional training and certification since
the state I moved from had different licensing requirements. This
funding reduced the financial burden created by some of the
requirements I needed to become a counselor.”
Marden expressed excitement about the ripple effect these
scholarships, and NMFA and United Health Foundation’s support, have
in the military and health care communities.
She added: “I’ve seen service members acquire disabilities,
family members struggle to adjust, and children that can benefit
from counseling during deployments and while adjusting to frequent
moves and new schools. It’s fulfilling to be a part of the health
care industry and the healing process. NMFA and United Health
Foundation invested in me, and I’m doing my absolute best to pay it
as far forward as I can.”
For more information on NMFA scholarships, visit:
http://www.militaryfamily.org/spouses-scholarships/.
About United Health FoundationThrough collaboration with
community partners, grants and outreach efforts, United Health
Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and
dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local
communities. United Health Foundation was established by
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private
foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date,
United Health Foundation has committed more than $285 million to
programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn
more at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.
About the National Military Family AssociationThe
National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit
dedicated to serving the families who stand behind the uniform.
Since 1969, NMFA has worked to strengthen and protect millions of
families through its advocacy and programs. They provide spouse
scholarships, camps for military kids, and retreats for families
reconnecting after deployment and for the families of the wounded,
ill, or injured. NMFA serves the families of the currently serving,
retired, wounded or fallen members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps,
Air Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and
NOAA. To get involved or to learn more, visit
www.MilitaryFamily.org.
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Group.
United Health FoundationLauren Mihajlov,
952-936-3068Lauren_Mihajlov@uhg.comorNational Military Family
AssociationBesa Pinchotti, 703-931-6632PR@MilitaryFamily.org
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