The Arthur Nagel Community Clinic has been awarded a Blue ImpactSM grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to expand its Well-Woman Program, which provides free gynecological care and preventive health screenings to low-income and uninsured women in Bandera County.
The $25,000 grant is part of a larger $2 million statewide initiative by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) to support 84 community-based organizations focused on improving health outcomes in rural and underserved communities.
More than $400,000 in grant funding was awarded across the greater San Antonio region, including Bandera, Boerne, Floresville, and San Antonio.
“This grant helps us reach more women who need preventive care, many of whom haven’t seen a gynecologist in years due to lack of insurance or resources,” said Dr. Sandra Haldeman, director of the Well-Woman Program at the Nagel Clinic. “We’re committed to ensuring that every woman in Bandera County has access to compassionate, professional care that prioritizes her health and dignity.”
The Well-Woman Program offers annual exams, Pap smears, breast cancer screenings, and diagnostic follow- up for abnormal results.
The program is a cornerstone of the clinic’s mission to reduce barriers to care and improve early detection of disease in the community.
Chuck Lutke, executive director of the clinic, said the funding will have an immediate impact.
“We’re incredibly thankful to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas for this generous support,” Lutke said. “This Blue Impact grant will make a real difference in the lives of uninsured women across our community by helping us expand access to essential screenings and early detection services.”
Jim Springfield, president of BCBSTX, said the Blue Impact program is about working alongside local nonprofits to address the root causes of poor health in Texas communities.
“Throughout our 95 years of serving Texas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas remains committed to the belief that lasting change is built through collective action and community-driven solutions,” Springfield said. “We’re honored to support organizations like the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic in their focus on helping close gaps in care around women’s health.”
The Blue Impact grant program focuses on five key areas: economic opportunity and stability, nutrition, neighborhood and built environment, locally defined health solutions, and optimal health outcomes.
To learn more about the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic or to schedule a well-woman exam, visit www.nagelclinic.org or call (830) 796-3448.
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