SALT LAKE CITY — The Regence Foundation announced today a $20,000 grant for Mountainlands Community Health Center, a comprehensive center addressing the physical, mental and dental health needs of the most vulnerable uninsured and underserved residents of Utah County. Regence employee Deedra Scott nominated Mountainlands as part of the company’s second annual employee-nominated Transformation Grant program.

“I nominated Mountainlands Community Health Center for a Regence Foundation transformation grant because I admire the staff’s focus on patient education and their constant drive to find better and more efficient ways to serve their patient base,” said Deedra Scott, Regence employee and grant nominator. “As a case manager here at Regence, finding innovative ways to help people stay well is a big part of my job and a critical part of building healthier communities.”

One of Mountainlands’ areas of expertise is helping patients with chronic illness, and its case managers work with more than 1,200 diabetic and cardiovascular patients. They remind patients and providers alike when tests are needed, discuss medication effectiveness and act as lifestyle coaches. The Regence Foundation grant will support efforts to expand the case management program and enable Mountainlands to hire a part-time health educator.

“Our mission is to fund collaborative and innovative programs with the potential to change the health care system,” said Michael Alexander, Regence Foundation board chair, “and we applaud Mountainlands Community Health Center for the work they’re doing to improve access to affordable, quality care in Utah County.”

For more information about Mountainlands Community Health Center, visit www.mountainlands.org.