Charleston, WV, Feb. 4, 2025—West Virginia Health Right, Inc. today announced it is among the awardees across the United States that received a grant from Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity, which mobilizes financial resources for organizations focused on non-clinical interventions that affect a person’s health. Commonly known as the social determinants of health, these factors include an individual’s physical, social, political, cultural, and economic environment.
“This latest round of more than $8 million in grants, made possible by generous support from MacKenzie Scott, the AbbVie Foundation, and Eli Lilly and Company, is the most recent infusion of funding for organizations deeply committed in eliminating health disparities and improving healthcare quality in their communities”, said Dr. Byron Scott, Direct Relief CEO and Co-Chair of the Fund for Health Equity. “Direct Relief is proud to support and grateful for the work they do every day.”
West Virginia Health Right, Inc. received $220,000 from the Fund for Health Equity for its work to continue addressing social determinants of health.
“We are proud to not only provide high-quality healthcare to our patients but also introduce healthy cooking habits, fitness programs and support groups that they may not typically have access to,” said WV Health Right CEO Dr. Angie Settle. “We strive to be a one-stop shop for keeping our patients healthy and employed, and this funding will help us continue providing essential services to those in need.”
The awardees were selected by the Fund for Health Equity’s Advisory Council, which includes the following members:
- Co-Chair Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA, 18th US Surgeon General of the United States, Founder Bayou Clinic, Inc.
- Co-Chair Byron Scott, MD, MBA, Direct Relief CEO
- Martha Dawson, DNP, MSN, RN, FACHE, President and CEO President of the National Black Nurses Association, Associate Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Jane Delgado, Ph.D., MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health
- Gail Small, JD, Head Chief Woman, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe
“We are pleased to support West Virginia Health Right, Inc. and other grassroots organizations dedicated to advancing health equity and addressing disparities in underserved communities across the United States,” said Dr. Byron Scott, MD, MBA, Co-Chair of the Fund for Health Equity and CEO of Direct Relief. “These organizations are invaluable partners in creating lasting change because they are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, possess firsthand understanding of their needs, and are uniquely positioned to deliver impactful solutions.”
