Augusta, Ga. (November 21, 2024) – More than 30 not-for-profit community organizations were given a reason to celebrate Thanksgiving early today, in the form of $1.9 million in support for their organizations and the services they provide to residents of Augusta and surrounding communities.

In the affiliation agreement between Piedmont and the former University Health Care System, Piedmont agreed to provide $2 million a year for 10 years to community nonprofit groups who address direct health needs as stated in the Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation Strategy for Piedmont’s Augusta Hub, according to Hugh L. Hamilton, chair of the Piedmont Augusta Board.

“In many ways, University Health Care System was ahead of its time, investing in prevention, population health and access to care through the initial start-up and continual support of community-based clinics, several of which are with us today,” Hamilton explained, in an awards presentation in Piedmont Augusta’s Levi W. Hill III Auditorium. “Since joining Piedmont, our thinking has evolved and broadened to include a focus on our role in addressing social drivers of health, such as homelessness, education, unemployment and food insecurity. We have also become keenly aware of the health disparities throughout our community, and how we can help ensure people have equal access to high-quality care by partnering with organizations uniquely qualified to impact those needs in a measurable way.”

Hamilton, along with other Piedmont Augusta Board leaders, executives and Community Relations team members, developed an annual application process for distributing support, considering the community’s high number of not-for-profit groups that could qualify. Ultimately, 49 organizations received an application, 38 groups returned the applications and other required documents and 32 were approved for support in 2025.

“As we move throughout the community, we witness and hear stories about the hard work being done, and the lives that are changed and impacted for the better,” Hamilton said. “We could not be more thrilled that Piedmont embraces the importance of supporting our partners in keeping the community well.”

Hamilton said the organizations chosen are based in Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie and Aiken counties, and have a broad reach across Piedmont Augusta’s service area. Also, each has a proven track record of making a measurable impact on the health needs, social drivers of health or health disparities facing our community.

Lily Henson, M.D., CEO of Piedmont’s Augusta Hub, said supporting community partners falls in line with the Piedmont Promise to make a positive difference in every life they touch.

“While we are known for our exceptional clinical outcomes, the impact Piedmont makes in our communities is core to who we are and what we do,” Henson said. “Recognizing we are stronger when we pool our energy and resources, we are thrilled to begin the celebratory season of giving thanks by honoring, supporting and strengthening our partner organizations who are in the trenches helping all members of our community achieve their potential.”

The organizations receiving support from Piedmont Augusta in 2025 are: