HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WSAV) - Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Hilton Head Island is working with new technology to help stop the spread of a dangerous condition.
Their hard work is now being recognized with the 2024 Neighborhood Champion grant: $50,000 over two years from Bank of America.
The money is connected to a new artificial intelligence program designed to give doctors a technological lift into patients' medical conditions and their histories, as well as what drug or treatment may be best to help them.
With the Neighborhood Champion grant funding, VIM HHI will implement two innovative technologies to enhance patient care and surpass national wellness benchmarks. These technologies—impedance cardiography (an advanced EKG) and machine learning integrated into electronic health records—will drive quality improvements in managing diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol and heart failure.
Impedance cardiography provides clinicians and patients with deeper insights than a standard EKG, enhancing medication adherence and helping select optimal treatments for blood pressure control. Additionally, VIM HHI is collaborating with a health care firm to pilot proprietary AI software, assessing its impact in a free clinic environment.
This grant will significantly elevate VIM's care delivery. If successful, VIM HHI's model could pave the way for innovation across thousands of free clinics nationwide.
"There is often the perception that free care is 'OK' care. Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island is blessed with great doctors, great nurses, engaged patients and now, awesome intelligence support and new technology. We are excited what improvements these advancements will bring and how we can share it with our free clinic colleagues across the country," said Dr. John Newman, executive director of VIM HHI.
Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island Clinic, which celebrated over 30 years of service last year, offers 26 free medical, dental, mental health, and wellness services to uninsured individuals.
Newman says right now, VIM is able to control 72% of his patients' diabetes.
He hopes with this software and program, that number will go up to 90%.
The long-term goal is to get the AI treatment efforts to all nonprofit clinics in the state and possibly even the nation.
Neighborhood Champions is part of the bank's longstanding efforts to build thriving communities by addressing issues fundamental to economic opportunity. The invitation-only program is highly competitive, with awardees selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past awardees. Since 2019, Bank of America has invested over $9 million in more than 200 nonprofits within more than 40 communities through the Neighborhood Champions program.