STONE MOUNTAIN, GA – Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), a non-profit organization providing more than $10 million annually in DME and supplies to the disabled community, was named a 2013 “Healthcare Champion” by the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority.

In a festive dinner and ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta, Chris Brand, president and CEO of FODAC, accepted the award recognizing the organization in the category “Partner for Healthier Georgia.” Lisa Flagg (pictured upper left with Chris Brand), CEO for FDHA, presented the award.

“Grady Hospital and FODAC have enjoyed a valuable and mutually beneficial partnership over the years,” said Brand. “This award validates the work that both Grady and FODAC do to help the mobility impaired regain independence and a quality of life. We are honored to be recognized for our contributions.”

Many patients visiting Grady with a debilitating accident have little or no insurance. They may find securing the DME necessary for discharge is an added and unanticipated expense, or their insurance simply doesn’t cover it.

Through FODAC, Grady can provide clean, gently-used equipment for disabled adults and children at discharge; this equipment includes wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility devices. By having this equipment at discharge, patients can transition more safely to home, and engage more fully in community and life.

Grady also refers patients to FODAC for home and vehicle modifications that will help these patients be more self-sufficient. In addition to regaining their independence, FODAC’s services and equipment also keep these patients safer on discharge, reducing return visits to the emergency room because of falls or other injuries and thus cutting hospital costs.

The 2nd Annual Healthcare Champions Awards was held at the end of the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority Health Summit, a day-long event focusing on healthcare issues impacting Fulton and DeKalb counties. Some of the leading authorities on healthcare, medicine and targeted disparities participated in the 2013 summit.