AT&T Supports UAMS AHEC-Northwest; Builds Stronger Communities Through $9 Million in National Grant Program
AT&T Excelerator Grants Assist Organizations Serving Diverse Ethnic Groups, Low-Income Families, People with Disabilities, Youth, and Seniors
Fayetteville, Arkansas, November 30, 2007
The AT&T Foundation — the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) — has announced that it has awarded $6,600 through the AT&T Excelerator competitive technology grant program to support the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Northwest. The recipient will use grant funds to install a distance-learning system. Family medicine residents and practicing physicians at area hospitals will benefit from the medical and educational conferences broadcast through the distance-learning system.
Since 2002, the AT&T Excelerator program has provided more than 2,500 technology grants — totaling more than $47.8 million — to organizations across the country. In 2007, 12 regional and local nonprofit organizations in Arkansas have benefited from the competitive program, which has granted nearly $9 million to nonprofit organizations and communities nationwide. This year, the AT&T Foundation expanded the Excelerator grant program for the first time to include AT&T Southeast's nine-state service area.
"University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Area Health Education Center Northwest is very thankful and appreciative to be a recipient of the AT&T Excelerator program grant funds," said B.J. Roberts, associate director, UAMS AHEC-Northwest. "Part of the AHEC mission is to improve the supply and distribution of health care professionals in Arkansas and to increase quality health care for Arkansans. These grant funds will be used to provide distance learning that will allow medical education conferences to be accessed remotely by AHEC family medicine residents and other physicians in northwestern Arkansas."
"As a member of the Senate committee that oversees public health and welfare, I am very aware that physicians must have access to new information to stay abreast of medical science," said state Sen. Bill Pritchard. "I am pleased that AHEC will have these new tools to help family practitioners and other medical professionals in our community."
The AT&T Excelerator program provides technology access to organizations working to strengthen underserved communities. Helping nonprofits integrate technology into their operations and community outreach, AT&T Excelerator grants also place technology tools in the hands of the underserved populations that the nonprofits work with in order to provide resources such as education programs, Internet access, computer training and job-skills development.
"The AT&T Excelerator grants program provides opportunities for nonprofit organizations to build stronger communities and meet their missions," said Cathy Foraker, director, External Affairs of AT&T Arkansas. "On behalf of AT&T Arkansas, it's a pleasure to present these funds to AHEC as they develop their distance-learning system to make a positive impact on the Fayetteville community."
Foraker also commended Pritchard for his commitment to health and medical programs in the Fayetteville community.
2007 AT&T Excelerator grants will help nonprofit organizations throughout Arkansas improve their operations and build stronger communities. Arkansas recipients illustrate the innovative ways technology can be employed to meet their missions.
- Arkansas Baptist College will provide Internet connectivity in its Science and Lab Building. The new technology will benefit students required to complete eight hours of science and lab instruction.
- Arkansas Science and Technology Authority will support Science and Mathematics Accessible Resource Tool (SMART) workshops. The added resource will integrate technology into the curriculum and help create lesson plans targeting secondary science and mathematics.
- Lyon College will add special technology software and hardware for students with physical and learning disabilities.
- Fort Smith Art Center will provide staff training to increase its connection with its audience and artists. The center will also add an enhanced, interactive and multilingual Web site and updated hardware and software.
- Main Street Helena Inc. will develop and present programs for historic-preservation awareness and for community education by using the grant funds to add new hardware and software programs.
- Mid-America Science Museum will upgrade technology for a program to improve the museum's management operations. The program will enable the Museum to better serve its client base, which is mainly composed of school groups and families.
- STAND Foundation will update technology for its STAND online outreach program. Funds will also be used for staff training to help young adults in Arkansas to develop their leadership skills.
- St. Joseph's Mercy Health Foundation will use grant funds to support a Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS), a high speed combination of technological hardware. The technology will provide physicians and health care clinicians with instant access to patients' medical images and reports, and this will enable a more efficient work process.
- Southside Main Street Project Inc. will upgrade hardware and software to improve office efficiency and have more effective communication with the community to help revitalize its historic commercial district with more jobs and housing.
- Walton Arts Center Council Inc. will upgrade its technology programs for the purpose of increasing staff efficiency and enhancing patron satisfaction.
- Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center Inc. will create an interactive Web site for the West Arkansas Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The new site will enhance the overall quality of service for customers, volunteers and community partners.
In 2006, AT&T Inc. and the AT&T Foundation contributed more than $101 million to nonprofit organizations across the country. With its strong giving record, the AT&T Foundation ranks among the most generous corporate foundations in the United States.
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About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2006, AT&T contributed more than $101 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc., combine more than $1.8 billion of historic charitable commitment to communities across the country.
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