7 Alabama healthcare organizations win $300K—see where the money goes

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Alabama is full of talented healthcare professionals and respected organizations. Knowing this, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) created the Diamond Impact Awards to help improve healthcare access and quality in Alabama.

In the Diamond Awards’ inaugural year, seven organizations were chosen as winners—receiving between $25,000 and $100,000 to expand their resources and reach to Alabamians like me and you.

To learn a little more, we talked to three of the recipients about what this award means to them and how they’re using the money.

Cahaba Valley Health Care won $50K to create an emergency dental clinic

For 25 years, Cahaba Valley Health Care has provided free dental and vision care for those in financial need in Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

Now, with $50,000 from BCBSAL, Cahaba Valley Health Care is opening a new emergency dental clinic in partnership with the UAB School of Dentistry.

“This support expands our capacity to deliver urgent, high-quality care to underserved patients who need it most. This award represents a meaningful investment in advancing oral health and improving community wellbeing.”

Jennifer Garrison, Executive Director, Cahaba Valley Health Care

Scheduled to launch this month, the free emergency dental clinic will provide urgent dental services to uninsured, low-income patients.

Mobile Infirmary gets $25K toward new prenatal clinic in south Alabama

Mobile Infirmary has been in business since 1910, but recently, the team partnered with Jackson Medical Center to open a prenatal satellite clinic to address the lack of OB services in Southwest Alabama.

The clinic opened their doors at the end of September, and thanks to $25,000 from The Caring Foundation and BCBSAL, Mobile Infirmary can bring maternal health services closer to home for women in the community.

“Being awarded one of the Diamond Impact Awards ensures that we can open this much-needed OB clinic where patients currently have no access to prenatal care.

Receiving this grant strengthens our ability to expand services into underserved rural areas, allowing us to reach more patients and create partnerships with other rural hospitals.”

Ashley Moore, Director of Women’s Program Development and OB Hospitalist Program

Life on Wheels bringing a mobile medical unit to Montgomery, thanks to $25K award

Life on Wheels has been a trusted and encouraging source for women, mothers and babies since 2016.

According to the March of Dimes, 58% of Alabama counties have low or no access to maternal care. Organizations like Life on Wheels—through its mobile medical unit—provides free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds and community resource referrals to underserved women in Alabama.

With a $ 25,000 grant, Life on Wheels will operate a second mobile unit across Montgomery, Troy, Selma, and surrounding areas to reach and serve more women.

“Receiving this grant means that we can run a second mobile unit in the River Region, because this grant will help pay the salary of a sonographer. This will allow us to double our days of service and meet more women.”

Robyn Blessing, River Region Director, Life on Wheels

More Alabama healthcare organizations that won big

Other finalists of the first-ever Diamond Impact Awards include:

• Hale County Health Care Authority: $100,000 
• Auburn University Foundation: $50,000 
• Father’s of St. Edumund: $25,000 
• WellStone: $25,000

The Diamond Impact Awards add to the ever-growing list of ways BCBSAL pours back into local wellness initiatives. These Alabama healthcare organizations, and countless others, promote healthier communities across the state.

See more ways BCBSAL invests in the health and wellness of Alabama.

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