Ballad Health receives Dr. J.G. Hawkins Memorial Fund grant to provide transportation assistance in Greene County

Ballad Health received a $20,000 grant from the East Tennessee Foundation’s Dr. J.G. Hawkins Memorial Fund that will assist Greene County residents with transportation obstacles in accessing healthcare services.

The grant will help fund cab vouchers, public transportation passes, ride-sharing services and rides sponsored by human service agencies for Greene County residents who need transportation for doctor’s appointments or other healthcare services.

“Transportation can be a huge barrier for individuals who are simply trying to make it to an appointment, so this grant will help those who can’t afford reliable transportation,” said Dr. Paula Masters, chief health disparities officer for Ballad Health. “We don’t want anyone in the Appalachian Highlands to miss an appointment or delay necessary care because they can’t find a ride, so grants like this are important to ensure everyone has the same opportunities to receive the care they need and deserve.”

The grant will be distributed over a two-year period, helping cover the cost of various public transportation services including passes for public transportation systems such as NET Trans or Make A Way Transport, or ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. The grant will help fund transportation to primary and specialty care practitioners and inpatient behavioral treatment facilities throughout Greene County, in addition to services provided at Greeneville Community Hospital. The initiative will also support transportation to community service agencies, medication-assisted treatment clinics, community recovery organizations, transitional housing facilities and shelters for those experiencing homelessness.

The project will put special focus on people who are uninsured or underinsured, people with substance use disorder or a history of substance use disorder, people with mobility issues or those with transportation barriers due to social isolation or a lack of support networks.

“It’s important that we take a step back and look at the big picture when it comes to healthcare access to find where help is needed most,” said Jack Simpson, president of Ballad Health Foundation. “One of the many challenges of living in a rural area like the Appalachian Highlands has historically been transportation access. While public transportation has generally improved over the years, it’s still not accessible to everyone, especially those who can’t afford it. This grant has the potential to help hundreds of people make it to their appointments and get the care they need to stay healthy.”

Ballad Health Foundation estimates that the grant could serve up to 300 individuals over its two-year funding period. The American Association of Retired Persons finds that the transportation cost in Greene County is nearly $16,000 per year per household, while the median household income in Greene County is less than $46,000. Seventeen percent of the county's population lives below the poverty level, and almost a quarter of residents live with a disability.

The Dr. J.G. Hawkins Memorial Fund was established in 2011 to support and provide medically-related transportation and traveling clinical services for underserved rural residents in Greene County. The grant is awarded through the East Tennessee Foundation, a public charity and community foundation that supports 25 counties in East Tennessee through approximately 500 charitable funds, including the Dr. J.G. Hawkins Memorial Fund.

"The East Tennessee Foundation is deeply committed to enhancing the well-being of our communities, and we are proud to support Ballad Health’s efforts to expand transportation and healthcare access in Greene County,” said Keith Barber, East Tennessee Foundation president and chief executive officer. “Dr. Hawkins was a horse-and-buggy physician who traveled with Mrs. Hawkins through rural areas, often accepting a chicken, a shared meal or whatever families could spare for payment. This initiative by Ballad Health honors the Hawkins’ compassionate legacy by breaking down barriers to healthcare access, and we are pleased to partner with them to help Greene County residents receive the care they need.”

The transportation initiative joins several other efforts Ballad Health has made to increase access to healthcare in Greene County. The system introduced its Strong Futures program to the county in 2021, adding critical recovery and counseling services for pregnant, post-partum and parenting mothers and fathers struggling with substance use disorder. The program includes a living center for mothers and their children in addition to intensive outpatient services to help parents get on their feet.

This grant is among many resources available through the Appalachian Highlands Care Network, which exists to connect patients facing financial or healthcare challenges with vital support, services and programs.