Enhancing Access to Healthcare

Written By: Josh Bryson, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation | Issue: March 2024

Access to preventative and primary healthcare services is essential to living a healthy and fulfilling life. Yet, many individuals and families in our communities face obstacles to receiving the care they need.

Fortunately, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is dedicated to funding and supporting health initiatives and access to healthcare for everyone in Highlands, Cashiers, and surrounding communities. In the 2023 grant cycle, the Health Foundation supported organizations such as the Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers Clinic, Community Care Clinic of Franklin, and Vecinos. These initiatives contribute to improving the availability of healthcare services for the community.

Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers is a federally qualified health center that offers comprehensive care for individuals and families, regardless of their ability to pay. Dr. Kristy Fincher and the staff at the Highlands location are now joined by Julie Carpenter, FNP-BC, who provides a full range of care services to patients. The services offered at Blue Ridge Health include family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, screening and vaccinations, preventative care, testing for minor infections such as cold and flu, and more. You can find Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers on the 3rd floor of the Jane Woodruff Clinic located at the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital campus.

Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity in healthcare, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation has collaborated with Vecinos to expand its offerings of quality, culturally sensitive, person-centered healthcare services for the uninsured, low-income, and farmworker communities. The offered services include comprehensive medical care, preventive services, disease management, and bilingual support. Vecinos strives to ensure that all community members receive equitable and culturally sensitive healthcare services regardless of their background or language barriers.

The Community Care Clinic of Franklin is another vital primary care provider in the region. This clinic focuses on offering healthcare to low-income and uninsured individuals. Through the support of the Health Foundation, the clinic is expanding its operation hours to provide crucial medical services like preventative care, diagnostic testing, and treatment for a variety of medical conditions at no cost. Their approach to healthcare is centered around the individual, focusing on prevention, wellness, and patient education. The Community Care Clinic is located at 1830 Lakeside Drive in Franklin.

By supporting organizations like Blue Ridge Health, Vecinos, and the Community Care Clinic of Franklin, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is committed to improving our community’s health and well-being. By leveraging the Health Foundation’s support, these organizations can continue to enhance healthcare services, ensuring everyone in the community receives the necessary medical care they deserve. These collective efforts are helping to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need to live happy, fulfilling, and healthy lives.

• For more information or to schedule an appointment with Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers, call (828) 482-6160.

• For more information about Vecinos, call (828) 293-2274 or visit vecinos.org.

• For more information about the Community Care Clinic of Franklin, call (828) 349-2085 or visit communitycareclinicfranklinnc.org.