North Carolina Medical Society Foundation Disaster Relief Fund

NCMS Foundation Disaster Relief Fund

Organization: North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Foundation with support from The Physicians Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Status: Active disaster relief fund

Geographic Scope: Eastern North Carolina (focus on areas affected by hurricanes)

Focus Areas:

Disaster relief for physicians

Healthcare practice rebuilding

Access to healthcare in underserved communities

Support for rural healthcare providers

Award Amount: Varies; example: $60,000 to G & G Healthcare (2019); combined Blue Cross NC and Healthy Blue commitment of $500,000 for rebuilding efforts

Eligible Applicants: Medical practices in North Carolina affected by devastating hurricanes or natural disasters

Program Description: Disaster relief fund to help physicians rebuild medical practices damaged by hurricanes and natural disasters, ensuring continued access to healthcare in underserved communities.

Example Case (Hurricane Florence): G & G Healthcare, operated by Dr. Melvin Gerald and siblings in Columbus County, received $60,000 to rebuild Whiteville location flooded in Hurricane Florence (2018). Practice also lost Fair Bluff location to Hurricane Matthew three years prior.

Uses of Funds: Rebuilding and reopening medical practices affected by disaster

Contributors:

The Physicians Foundation

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Healthy Blue

Mission Alignment: NCMS Foundation seeks to improve access to quality healthcare for all North Carolinians and ensure healthcare access in underserved communities

Contact: Gerri Mattson, MD, MSPH, President of NCMS Foundation Board of Trustees; Gary Price, MD, President of The Physicians Foundation