The Health Foundation, Inc.

The mission of The Health Foundation is to improve the health and well-being of the citizens of Wilkes County. Here, former President Brad Shinaman, DDS accepts the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Award from Arnold Lakey. The award was presented in honor of The Foundation's outstanding service to the community.

Past projects include the Wilkes Regional Medical Center (WRMC) Family Center, West Park, The Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic, the on-site helipad at WRMC, the Kidney Dialysis Center, The Ruby PArdue Blackburn Adult Day Health Care Center, and more.

The Foundation also awards yearly scholarships to students studying allied health care.

Thanks to Health Foundation donors, adults of fragile health now have a safe place to stay during the day. The Foundation sucessfully conducted a fundraising effort to build an Adult Day Health Care Center at West Park. It opened in September of 2008. Kim Bridgeman is the program's director.
Adult Day Health Care is a sophisticated program designed around the premise that “there is no place like home” and that most people would prefer to live out their natural lives in their own home. But sometimes, due to aging, illness, injury, or medical condition we find that some people cannot remain safely in their home during the day.
Adult Day Health Care is a safe, enriching place to take an adult loved one during the day. At Adult Day Care, a full time nurse is on staff to give participants their medicine and to monitor their individual health concerns. Patients with diabetes, heart conditions, breathing problems, or other medical conditions can be cared for here. For more information, contact the center at 336 667 2541.

A poor man served by thee shall make thee rich;

A sick man helped by thee shall make thee strong;

Thou shalt be served thyself by every sense

of service which thou renderest.

--Elizabeth Barrett Browning