UPMC Chautauqua has been named a winner of a Univera Healthcare 2022 Health Equity Awards.

The awards represent more than $120,000 in financial support the nonprofit health insurer is providing to community programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities across Western New York.

“This second round of Health Equity Award funding will help our communities reduce health disparities and improve health equity among underserved people with health disadvantages due to race, ethnicity, disability, sex, gender and/or rural disparities,” said Dr. Gina Cuyler, Univera Healthcare vice president of health equity and community investments. “We are proud to align our resources and efforts to partner and identify areas of collaboration with our local community organizations.”

Earlier this year, Univera Healthcare invited organizations to apply for awards of up to $30,000 each to help fund programs to improve health equity in communities of color, especially within Black and Latino communities. These segments of the community continue to suffer from health care and social disadvantages due to racism and discrimination. Award categories include, but were not limited to, improving the community’s physical health and mental health, reducing social disparities in health care, and ensuring access to health care services.

The funding from Univera Healthcare will support six nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations in Western New York that were chosen after a comprehensive review process which included input from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to assess each proposal. Grant recipients were selected based on clear, defined goals and measurable results for reducing health disparities and improving health equity.

UPMC Chautauqua’s project will provide access to telehealth services for patients receiving care through the outpatient behavioral health department who may have transportation or access to internet challenges.