Charleston, SC – Fetter Health Care Network (Fetter) has been awarded the Quality Improvement Fund Maternal Health (QIF-MH) grant, a $2 million award provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program. This grant, which totals more than $65 million dispersed amongst more than a dozen HRSA-funded health centers, will be instrumental in enhancing the quality and accessibility of prenatal care services throughout the Lowcountry. The award is part of a larger, whole-of-government strategy to improve U.S. maternal health, particularly in underserved communities.
As part of a larger two-year grant program, this award supports Fetter in improving maternal health services in racial and ethnic communities impacted by health disparities. Funds from this award will propel initiatives that increase early access and dismantle barriers to prenatal care, improve maternal health outcomes and provide diabetes prevention. The grant will also assist in integrating maternal health with behavioral health services while introducing the CenteringPregnancy care model to Fetter’s prenatal offerings via an educational support group offered to expecting mothers.
“We are grateful for this support that enables us to make significant advancements that promote the wellness of our community,” shared Fetter CEO Dr. Aretha Powers. “This grant will allow us to procure cutting-edge equipment and expand our care staff, ensuring that expectant Lowcountry mothers and their children receive the comprehensive care they deserve.”
This significant grant will strengthen Fetter’s existing prenatal care services, allowing the nonprofit to invest in new equipment, including ultrasound machines, telehealth machines and exam beds, and increase the ease and availability of on-site and virtual prenatal care services. Funding will also support the expansion of its care staff, increasing availability to qualified and specialized providers.
Fetter women’s health services are available throughout its Lowcountry locations, with OB/GYN specialty services based out of the Charleston Family Health Center in downtown Charleston and the Women & Children’s Annex of Thaddeus J. Bell, MD Family Health Center in Summerville. For more information on Fetter’s services or to schedule an appointment, visit FetterHealthCare.org or call 843-722-4112.
About Fetter Health Care Network
Fetter Health Care Network is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) chartered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the State of South Carolina in 1975. Fetter provides comprehensive services for insured, uninsured and underserved residents in Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, and Dorchester Counties. Today, Fetter Health Care Network has 27 different sites, including mobile units, medical laboratories and pharmacies.