San Andreas, CA…February 3, 2016– Mark Twain Medical Center (MTMC) has selected several Calaveras County not-for-profit organizations to receive the Mark Twain Medical Center Community Grant for 2015. The hospital honored grant recipients at an awards luncheon held January 27th 2016. To date, more than $348,000 has been awarded to Calaveras organizations by the MTMC Community Grants Program. The Mark Dignity Health Community Grants Program varies according to the size of each hospital. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)(3) organization and capable of administering the funds; the project or program must be a response to the health priorities identified in the local Dignity Health hospital’s community health assessment or benefit plan, and the project to be funded must involve collaboration with a minimum of two other organizations and/or with a Dignity Health hospital in our community…

From left to right: Peggy Sparrow, Director of Services – Calaveras ARC, Susie Bussel, Board Member, Harmony Ranch; Mary Ellen Sousa-Hiner, Executive Director and Co- Founder for Creative Support Alternatives; Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Director for Common Ground Senior Services; Lurali Moore, Director of Operations, ARC; Karyn Gregorius, ARC, Kathi Toepel, Assistant Director for Common Ground Senior Services; Jamie Sorrell, Director of Supported Living Services ARC; and Nicki Stevens, Manager of Marketing Business Development, MTMC.

This year’s honorees, Community Access and Education Program, include the following organizations:

 The Arc of Amador and Calaveras (will provide more than 150 individuals with intellectual
and developmental disabilities greater access to a broad range of health and nutrition related
activities.);

 Common Ground Senior Services (supports the independence of individuals with disabilities
through resources, advocacy and services);and

 Creative Support Alternatives (provides Supported Living Services and Independent Living
Services to people with developmental disabilities).

 Harmony Ranch (horsemanship program offering recreational therapeutic services to children
and adults with or without special needs).

“We are honored to join Dignity Health and our grant partners in improving the lives of others through
increased access to health and wellness activities and resources in our local community,” remarked Karyn
Gregorius Executive Director of The Arc of Amador and Calaveras. “The Community Access and
Education Program will assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and seniors in
accessing their community without barriers. The program will improve access to health related services
and information in Calaveras County. Emphasis will be on prevention and education. The Arc and our
grant partners will promote local resources while working to provide opportunities for learning in the
local community that will focus on intervention and prevention. We thank Dignity Health for their
continued commitment to community health and look forward to the meaningful experience of
empowering others to increase their health and overall wellness.”

Working in partnership with Mark Twain Medical Center, The Arc of Amador and Calaveras, and
Creative Support Alternatives, Common Ground Senior Services, and Harmony Ranch will conduct four
nutrition workshops to help educate Calaveras County residents on healthy eating, physical activity, and
community resources.

The nutrition workshops will educate attendees on three steps for eating healthy on a budget-planning,
purchasing, and preparing. The workshops will utilize the United States Department of Agriculture
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion materials.

The MTMC Executive Leadership Team carefully evaluated the programs to determine which programs
best address the unmet health needs as revealed in MTMC Community Needs Assessment. Six local
nonprofit organizations submitted proposals, requesting a total of $91,000.

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About Mark Twain Medical Center
Founded in 1951, Mark Twain Medical Center is a 25-bed, full-access hospital providing inpatient acute
care, outpatient services and emergency services. The Medical Center’s Medical Staff represents a broad
range of specialties that ensure access to high quality medical care in a rural community. In addition to
being a major provider of health services, Mark Twain Medical Center is also a major source of jobs for
area residents. On average, more than 300 people are employed at the hospital and its five Family
Medical Centers. The Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health, the fifth largest not-for-profit
healthcare system in the nation. For more information, please visit our website at
www.marktwainmedicalcenter.org. Mark Twain Medical Center is also on Facebook.