Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) is honored to join the Healthier Central Appalachian Task Force (HCAT), a collaborative endeavor led by Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. (ARH). The task force is being established by a $500,000 grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE). Supported by $125,000 in matching funds from ARH, the task force will address critical health disparities and social determinants of health across 29 counties in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
HCAT is one of 12 multi-state projects awarded a total of $33.5 million through ARISE. These projects unite more than 145 partners across all 13 Appalachian states. The initiatives aim to strengthen workforce and educational opportunities, infrastructure and entrepreneurship across the region.
"As partners in the Healthier Central Appalachian Task Force led by Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc., we are honored to engage in addressing longstanding health disparities and systemic barriers facing the Appalachian region," said Dr. Natalie Freeman, LMU-DCOM assistant dean of research. "This collaborative ARISE grant represents an important opportunity to implement innovative, coordinated solutions that will empower the resilient people of Appalachia to thrive and live fuller, healthier lives."
The HCAT project includes a network of 15 partners—educational institutions, community organizations, and local governments—all focused on improving health outcomes across Appalachia. LMU-DCOM is dedicated to initiatives that will deliver measurable impact, including expanding healthcare access through mobile units and enhancing workforce development in the region.
"By leveraging our diverse expertise and community connections, we are committed to expanding access to quality health care, improving workforce engagement and tackling complex social, economic and environmental factors that shape well-being across 29 counties," Freeman added. "The spirit of Appalachian communities inspires us to address these challenges head-on and create a foundation for sustained health and prosperity in the region."
The ARISE grant will fund a one-year project period, resulting in two comprehensive reports that will assess program impacts and recommend future actions. Through this partnership, LMU-DCOM reaffirms its dedication to supporting the health and vitality of rural and underserved Appalachian communities.
The DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine is located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, and at LMU-Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee. LMU-DCOM is an integral part of LMU’s values-based learning community and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of osteopathic physicians to provide health care in the often-underserved region of Appalachia and beyond. For more information about LMU-DCOM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 7082, email dcom@LMUnet.edu, or visit us online at http://med.LMUnet.edu.
