Carroll County Memorial Hospital Foundation was founded in 2013 to help address the unique needs of rural residents and ensure the sustainability of quality healthcare in the areas we serve. In 2021, the Flip for the Foundation Challenge was established to help increase awareness around the health challenges faced in rural communities.

"Rural Americans face numerous health disparities compared with their urban counterparts. More than 46 million Americans, or 15 percent of the U.S. population, live in rural areas as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. A series of studies from CDC is drawing attention to the significant gap in health between rural and urban Americans. Rural Americans are more likely to die from heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke than their urban counterparts. Unintentional injury deaths are approximately 50 percent higher in rural areas than in urban areas, partly due to greater risk of death from motor vehicle crashes and opioid overdoses. In general, residents of rural areas in the United States tend to be older and sicker than their urban counterparts.

These challenges highlight the need for additional attention and resources aimed at improving health in rural America. Rural areas could benefit from improved public health programs that support healthier behaviors and neighborhoods, and better access to healthcare services." Content source: Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS)

The Foundation uses several strategies to address these challenges. It provides scholarships for individuals pursuing careers in healthcare in hopes some will choose to come back home and share their skills. In 2019, the Foundation created The Hope Fund to provide assistance to those in need of medication, durable medical equipment or travel for medical appointments. Finally, the Foundation wants to ensure funds are available to provide healthcare locally for many years to come.

Please join us by taking the Flip for the Foundation Challenge and sharing the information with your family and friends. Information on how to participate may be found in the Supporters/Campaign Updates section.

Flip for the Foundation Challenge

By Carroll County Memorial Hospital Foundation

Flip for the Foundation Challenge

#RuralStrong