Molina Healthcare of Virginia’s MolinaCares Heart Health Initiative Awards $35,000 Grant to the American Heart Association
Media Contact: Ben Jackey, Ben.Jackey@molinahealthcare.com, (502) 377-9484
PETERSBURG, Va., April 1, 2024 – The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation, in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Virginia, will partner with the American Heart Association to increase heart health for at-risk individuals in Petersburg. A $35,000 grant supports the overall mission of the American Heart Association, while focusing on reducing risk of heart attack and stroke with increasing blood pressure control. This includes providing resources to support blood pressure screenings, expand community education on heart health, and provide the tools and resources for people to monitor their blood pressure from home.
As part of a community collaboration, free blood pressure screenings are taking place each week at the Petersburg Public Library on Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. Individuals identified as needing additional health care will be directly connected to a provider, in partnership with Central Virginia Health Services. Community members can also checkout blood pressure cuffs.
“Heart disease can be preventable with the right knowledge and access to proper care, and the MolinaCares Heart Health Initiative will help provide both,” said Bill Phipps, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Virginia. “This partnership will give Petersburg residents the information they need to be proactive in their health outcomes.”
According to the American Heart Association, nearly 40% of Petersburg residents have high blood pressure. Overtime, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, which could cause a heart attack. Heart disease is the second-leading cause of death in Virginia.
“We want to meet people where they are,” said Robin Gahan, Vice President of Community Impact with the American Heart Association. “In bringing blood pressure monitoring devices and education beyond the walls of the doctor’s office, we hope to help people in our community live longer, healthier lives.”
The MolinaCares Heart Health Initiative builds upon the MolinaCares Partnership for Petersburg, an investment in improving access to care and health outcomes. The partnership, announced in 2023, supports community organizations like the United Way, Flite Foundation and Petersburg City Public Schools.
About The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation
The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc. The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation was created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
About Molina Healthcare of Virginia
Molina Healthcare of Virginia has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 2017. The Company serves members through Medicare and Health Insurance Marketplace programs throughout Virginia. Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare, please visit