The Legacy Banks Foundation to Fund IT upgrade for Volunteers in Medicine
Pittsfield – The Legacy Banks Foundation is providing financial support to the help upgrade of essential electronic medical record infrastructure for Volunteers in Medicine (VIM), which will support the organization’s effort to meet the needs of its expanding client base in the Berkshires. Volunteers in Medicine provides free medical, mental health and dental services through volunteer professional medical and social services staff to low income families. It aims to provide continuity of care and to educate patients how to self-manage chronic conditions. The Legacy Banks Foundation has supported the program’s technical enhancements with a $2,000 grant.In light of a recent state law mandating health insurance coverage for all residents, VIM also provides care to patients who do not meet the eligibility requirements for state subsidized coverage. Richard Sullivan, president of The Legacy Banks Foundation expressed Legacy’s support to this much needed program saying, “The deep commitment to VIM’s mission is exemplified by the number of volunteer hours provided by health professionals each year as well as the large number of those who are served. We applaud VIM for opening the doors to health care for so many who would otherwise be without it.” In 2007 VIM served over 600 patients with approximately 2,800 visits. As a result of their work, approximately 1,750 people were brought into the health care system and referred to other services in the area.
Established in 2005, The Legacy Banks Foundation continues the philanthropic tradition of Legacy Banks and its associates who have generously contributed their time, talent and treasure for the betterment of the communities in which they have worked and lived for well over a century. The Foundation focuses its support in six major areas - affordable housing, economic development, education, health and human services, civic and community, and arts & culture.
