2/10/14--The Polk Wellness Center received $20,000 in grant funds from the People In Need grant program of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. The WCMS Endowment Fund is proud to have contributed $10,125 towards this grant.

Ten thousand dollars of the grant funds will be used to develop and implement the first diabetes education and support program in Polk County. At present, there is no existing diabetic education program in Polk County. Polk Wellness Center plans to develop a program that is nationally recognized and accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) and focuses on low income insured and underinsured residents of the county that suffer from diabetes and related chronic health problems. 60 to 75 patients will be served in the first year. An additional $10,000 in grant funds will be used to replace and upgrade computer software equipment that works with the Electronic Medical Records System. The new equipment will allow Polk Wellness Center office staff to increase the number of patients receiving primary and integrated care services.