Strategic renewal is a good thing. Many rely on the idea that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Whether it’s broken or not, we may still be able to make it better. Which is why SLHI is taking a new approach to its Medical Assistance grants.

SLHI was created in 1996 by the sale of St. Luke’s Health System. The proceeds from the sale become the foundation’s endowment. A number of direct service funds for vision and hearing moved from the health system to the foundation as well. Nineteen years later, SLHI has developed a new competitive approach to award Medical Assistance funds, providing all of its staff first aid training in order to protect their patient’s life in the best way possible.

In May 2015, SLHI completed the first round of competitive vision-oriented grants. Grantees will be funded starting in July 2015 on a three-year cycle. We are honored to welcome our new and continuing awardees. These include:

• Alhambra School District
• Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
• Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
• Foundation for Blind Children
• Region One Area Agency on Aging

SLHI will issue an RFP focused on hearing-oriented restricted funds in January 2016. If you’d like more information about the new process, or would like to apply in the future, then click here to complete the Medical Assistance Grants 101 form.