NGHS employees awarded grants for healthcare innovation

Published: Thursday, June 27, 2024

Journals for new mothers, domestic violence education, and tools for patients with neurological injuries are just some of the latest initiatives changing the healthcareexperience at Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) facilities. 

Five NGHS employees recently received funding through the NGHS Foundation’s Change Grant program to bring their ideas to life. The program, funded by the NGHS Foundation’s employee giving club WATCH, empowers employees to improve patient care, enhance the employee or visitor experience or support a healthier community.

The projects will impact many of our hospital campuses and physician offices. Projects include:

  • Books for pediatric patients from birth to 5 years old to promote literacy.
  • Adaptive fishing gear and supervised outings for patients with neurological conditions to help them return to normal life.
  • Journals to help postpartum mothers express feelings and document milestones.
  • Blood pressure cuffs for low-income, under- or uninsured patients diagnosed with hypertension.
  • Signage to help connect patients facing domestic abuse with resources and support.

Employees receiving grants include Emma Davis, Emily Murdoch, Radhika Prabhakar, MD, Lindsey Spaulding, and Becky Westmoreland.

“The Change Grant program is a true example of how employees can impact the place they work through philanthropy,” said Melissa Rouse, executive director of nursing excellence and research at NGHS and WATCH Co-Chair. “Our staff not only donate to impact programs in the health system and community, but also seek grants to enhance the organization for our patients, visitors and their fellow employees.”

Funded by donations to the employee giving club, WATCH, the Change Grant program has been empowering employees to make a real difference in the patient, visitor and employee experience since 2019. For a full listing of all current and previous Change Grants, visit nghs.com/change-grants. To support the philanthropic initiatives of NGHS, visit nghs.com/foundation.

About NGHS

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through five hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest – with a total of more than 850 beds and more than 1,300 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

About NGHS Foundation

Founded in 1986, the Northeast Georgia Health System Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to health system improvements, complementary programs and partner organizations throughout the region. In an effort to further the mission of improving the health of the community in all that we do, donations to the Foundation help support innovation and enhancements at all five of Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s community hospitals, as well as many health initiatives of the system. It is truly through the generosity of friends and neighbors that many critical, life-saving projects, improvements and patient care services are available today. For more information, visit nghs.com/foundation.