Medtronic Foundation Commits $16M in Health and Education Partnerships to Address Racial Disparities and Advance Social Justi...
July 22 2020 - 8:00AM
The Medtronic Foundation today announced a $16 million commitment
to partnerships with organizations working to bring about social
justice and equity, improve the lives of Black Americans, and help
heal and advance the broader community, specifically to the
Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the Northside Achievement Zone, and
the People’s Center Clinics & Services, among others.
These partnerships are a unique combination of
strategic financial support paired with Medtronic employee
volunteerism. They aim to deliver meaningful impact through deep
engagement, greater understanding of racial inequities, improved
educational opportunities and fewer health disparities, which have
been precipitated by historical racial inequities and intensified
by COVID-19.
“As a global healthcare leader, our Mission calls
us to maintain good global citizenship as a company,” said Geoff
Martha, Medtronic chief executive officer. “Today, it’s critical
that we actively promote social justice and racial equity progress
to address inequities and health disparities in our communities.
The Medtronic Foundation’s commitments come as an extension of the
Medtronic journey to consistently improve and advance these
efforts.”
Long-term Partnerships for Social
Change As part of its commitment, the Medtronic Foundation
is entering into three long-term, multi-year core partnerships at
local and national levels:
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF): This
first-of-its-kind national partnership between the Thurgood
Marshall College Fund and a medical technology corporate foundation
will emphasize scholarships for low-income students studying
engineering, biomedical, and business at Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the U.S. The partnership
also includes opportunities for students engaged in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at HBCUs to learn
more about medical technology.
- Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ): This local partnership will
strengthen communities in North Minneapolis by helping impoverished
families upgrade skills, increase household income, and support
their children through high school and college. Medtronic employees
will have year-round opportunities to volunteer their skills and
support NAZ families to improve education disparities in
Minneapolis.
- People’s Center Clinics & Services: This health partnership
builds the capacity of community-based frontline health workers and
local healthcare teams, enabling them to reduce health disparities,
improve diabetes and hypertension management, and provide COVID-19
education and support, resulting in better health outcomes among
the East African and African American populations. Medtronic
volunteers will provide their skills and support to help establish
COVID-19 testing centers in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood of
Minneapolis.
Immediate Response to Racial Injustice:
Community InvestmentsThese longer-term commitments build on the
Medtronic Foundation’s immediate response in early June to
Minneapolis-based organizations focused on rebuilding local
neighborhoods and on supporting people impacted by the civil unrest
following George Floyd’s killing. These partners are helping to
restore damaged neighborhoods, provide food and clothing, and
assist small businesses in getting back on their feet. Partners
include:
- Twin Cities Rebuild for the Future Fund: to rebuild micro- and
small-sized minority-owned businesses damaged by the violence
following the death of George Floyd.
- Minnesota Central Kitchen and the Neighborhood Development
Council, in partnership with a company devoted to Indigenous foods,
The Sioux Chef: to support deliver emergency meals and support
kitchen staff, food, and supplies.
- YWCA Minneapolis: to support a large-scale, volunteer-driven
distribution center with food and supplies at its Midtown location,
the heart of one of the neighborhoods hardest hit during the recent
uprisings. In addition, the YWCA partnership includes community
healing conversations and workshops to support the community and
promote change.
- Hennepin Healthcare Foundation: to deliver immediate COVID-19
support to underserved patients by supporting community health
workers (CHW) reaching underserved patients.
- Salvation Army Harbor Light: in honor of George Floyd, his
service, and his connection with other patrons and staff.
“Understanding and impacting social inequities and
systemic racism is a long-term journey, requiring a long-term
commitment,” said Paurvi Bhatt, president of the Medtronic
Foundation. “The perspectives of Medtronic’s African Descent
Network, together with insights from community leaders, helped us
shape these meaningful actions which not only support communities
under crises, but also support long-lasting, community-driven
changes.”
“We are delighted the Medtronic Foundation is
committed to partnering with TMCF to provide financial support and
opportunities for HBCU students to learn more about medical
technology,” said Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of the
Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which represents 47 member-schools.
“During these difficult and uncertain times, we applaud the
Medtronic Foundation for their commitment to health disparities,
education, social justice and equity to improve the lives of Black
Americans.”
Engaging TogetherIn addition to the above
financial contributions, Medtronic is organizing a global Day
of Action for Racial Equity Progress – which is a day of learning,
giving and volunteering. Our 90,000 Medtronic employees worldwide
will have a menu of opportunities to learn more about advancing
racial equity, chances to virtually volunteer and options to
support non-profit organizations responding to social justice and
racial disparities in Black communities.
The Medtronic Foundation will match 2:1 Medtronic
employee and retiree donations to nonprofit organizations including
social justice organizations of their choosing until Oct. 30, 2020,
which will deepen the impact of those donations.
About Medtronic FoundationMedtronic plc is
the sole funder of the Medtronic Foundation, whose focus is on
improving health for underserved populations worldwide, as
well as supporting communities in which Medtronic employees
live and give. For more information, please
visit medtronicfoundation.org.
About MedtronicMedtronic plc
(www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the
world’s largest medical technology, services and solutions
companies – alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life
for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more
than 90,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and
patients in more than 150 countries. The company is focused on
collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare
Further, Together.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's
periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated
results.
-end-
Elizabeth CostelloMedtronic FoundationPublic
Relations+1-612-940-7693
Erika WinkelsMedtronicPublic Relations+1-763-526-8478
Ryan WeispfenningMedtronicInvestor Relations+1-763-505-4626
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