SALISBURY — TidalHealth has been awarded a $26,000 grant from the Somerset County Health Department for a Community Partnership Project Addressing Health Disparities.

The funding supports TidalHealth efforts to improve, expand, and enhance healthcare on Smith Island. Residents of the island are at higher risk for unmanaged chronic health conditions because of limited access to primary care.

Materials and activities in support of those goals include critical upgrades to the clinic, blood pressure cuffs for patients, transportation vouchers for the clinical team, patient education supplies such as chronic disease-self management workbooks, medical equipment, and renovations for the clinic.

Presently, TidalHealth supports acute care, health education, prevention, and telehealth to the approximately 200 residents of the island. Without this partnership, Smith Island would have no direct access to healthcare.

“TidalHealth is committed to serving Smith Island and all of Somerset County,” said Katherine Rodgers, MPH, Director of Community Health Initiatives. “This funding supports our efforts to continue to expand the care we provide to our families, friends, and neighbors. The grant equips us with the tools and resources needed to enhance our services and improve the clinic on the island.

“We are incredibly appreciative of our partnership with the Somerset County Health Department for making this crucial program possible.”

Smith Island residents are disproportionately affected by social risk factors such as cost and lack of reliable transportation to and from the mainland, limited access to healthy foods, and limited access to healthcare. These factors contribute to chronic health conditions and limit the ability of individuals to adequately manage or control conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

A TidalHealth spokesperson noted that, “Many residents lack primary care and access to primary and secondary preventative health services and screenings. These barriers were further exacerbated by COVID-19 and the effects are still negatively impacting the population today.”

In response to this, a team of providers including a physician, nurse practitioner and pharmacist, visit the island on average every other week from March to November. And, new primary care provider appointments are offered to community members without a Primary Care Provider (PCP). Telehealth and in-person acute visits occur through a TidalHealth nurse practitioner.

A TidalHealth medical assistant resides on the island to provide ongoing support for chronic disease prevention and management, medication management, referrals and follow-up post discharge and emergency department visits.

In 2023, TidalHealth’s team provided 86 lab tests, 104 allergy shots, 24 sensor replacements, 24 flu shots, 47 medication refills, four community health worker cases. The team had 102 appointments in the clinic.

Additionally, the medical assistant, who is also an EMT, responded to 15 calls to 911.

The team partnered with the Somerset County Health Department to support COVID boosters, Medicare sign-ups, smoking cessation, and diabetes prevention programming. MAC, Inc. hosted a Step on Class to prevent falls. TidalHealth hosted a health fair to increase health education and screening.