Tyson Foods Invests in Community Healthcare Education and Access

Six organizations in four states awarded over $600,000
May 30, 2018 1:15 PM ET

SPRINGDALE, Ark., May 30, 2018 /3BL Media/ – As part of Tyson Foods’ (NYSE: TSN) efforts to raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do and its commitment to support the communities it serves where help is needed most, the company announced today over $600,000 in grants to six community healthcare providers in four states.

The company’s efforts to support its communities include $200,000 to the University of Arkansas Foundation Fund, Inc., for the benefit of University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest Regional Campus (UAMS) in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to improve the health literacy of the community, build healthcare professional cultural competency and empower the Hispanic/Latino and Marshallese/Pacific Islander communities to better navigate healthcare systems.

Material and resources to be developed include educational training videos, cultural competency training events, community health worker training, and diabetes self-management education.

“We are proud to be a part of Tyson Foods’ efforts to address community health issues in their communities,” said Pearl McElfish, Ph.D., M.B.A., associate vice chancellor of UAMS Northwest Regional Campus and director of the UAMS Office of Community Health and Research. “Our research shows that we have better health outcomes through culturally sensitive approaches and Tyson Foods taking this approach will benefit the entire community in a variety of ways.”

Tyson Foods also awarded a total of $305,000 to Kearny County Hospital in Holcomb, Kansas, Midtown Health Center in Madison, Nebraska, Community Clinic in Springdale, Arkansas, and Mercy Health in Rogers, Arkansas. These grants will fund a community health liaison who will seek opportunities to better connect Tyson Foods team members and the communities with healthcare professionals, health education classes and translation of health information.

“We are grateful for Tyson Foods’ generosity and for trusting Mercy with this innovative partnership to improve the health and well-being of Tyson team members,” said Eric Pianalto, president of Mercy Hospital. “Mercy looks forward to working closely with Tyson Foods to assess its team members’ greatest health needs and find ways to deliver meaningful support.”

Logansport Memorial Hospital and Four County Counseling Center in Logansport, Indiana, were awarded $100,000 for substance abuse orientation and treatment, mobile health screenings and community inventory research to identify gaps in health services.

“We’ve taken a close look at healthcare opportunities in Tyson Foods communities and these investments represent our willingness to listen to key stakeholders and understand where we can make the most impact,” said Debra Vernon, senior director, corporate social responsibility for Tyson Foods.

For more on Tyson Foods’ efforts to bolster the communities where it operates, please visit HTTPS://WWW.TYSONFOODS.COM/WHO-WE-ARE/GIVING-BACK/CORPORATE-GIVING.

About Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®Jimmy Dean®Hillshire Farm®Ball Park®Wright®Aidells®ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 122,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit WWW.TYSONFOODS.COM.