Southern Tier Health Care System Receives Grant
Southern Tier Healthcare System Receives Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture Awards Nearly $140,000
Staff (in person and online) at Total Senior Care at their weekly Interdisciplinary Care Team meetings using the newly installed av equipment. Photo / STHCS
ALLEGANY: Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc. (STHCS) was awarded nearly $140,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. This funding will empower rural communities by leveraging advanced technology to connect residents and healthcare providers, overcoming the challenges of distance and low population density.
Of the total grant, $114,606.80 was allocated to HomeCare & Hospice and Total Senior Care for state-of-the-art digital communication and remote learning tools, including high-definition displays, advanced cameras, and integrated audio systems. This technology aims to enhance training capabilities and facilitate better communication across their four-county service area.
“Our team is thrilled to receive this grant for next-generation communication tools. It will significantly improve our ability to train staff and connect with providers and participants throughout our service area. With this technology, we can share knowledge more effectively, ensuring our team has the skills necessary to deliver high-quality care,” said Melissa Sullivan, CEO of HomeCare & Hospice and Total Senior Care.
This grant reflects a shared commitment to providing New York residents with access to comprehensive, high-quality healthcare. Southern Tier Health Care System is proud to work alongside local providers like HomeCare & Hospice and Total Senior Care, as well as our federal partners, to bring vital support and resources to our underserved communities,” said Donna L. Kahm, SPHR, President and CEO of STHCS.
The new remote training and telemedicine technology has already been installed at Total Senior Care, with similar upgrades planned for HomeCare & Hospice by the year's end. These enhancements will elevate both organizations' ability to train staff, coordinate with providers, and serve participants across the region, ensuring seamless communication and improved care coordination.
HomeCare & Hospice and Total Senior Care are dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care that respects the needs and preferences of patients and participants. Their goal is to help individuals maintain independence in the comfort of their own homes, where they feel safest and most secure. For more information, please call 716-372-2106, visit homecare-hospice.org or totalseniorcare.org, or email snegron@homecare-hospice.org.