Saint Francis Hospital Receives Grant from The Cigna Group Foundation to Advance Health Equity and Access
HARTFORD, Conn. (February 26, 2025) – Saint Francis Hospital has been awarded a $250,000 grant through The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund by The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group. This funding will strengthen community-based programs designed to reduce long-standing health disparities and expand access to essential resources for underserved populations.
“This grant enhances our ability to advance equitable health outcomes in the communities we serve,” said Valerie Powell-Stafford, MHSA, FACHE, President, Saint Francis Hospital. “With this support, we will expand evidence-based initiatives that address barriers such as access to preventive care, nutritious foods, and culturally responsive services. We are grateful for The Cigna Group Foundation’s collaboration in this work.”
Research shows that up to 80% of a person’s health outcomes are influenced by social drivers of health, including housing stability, education, economic opportunity, transportation, and food access. These factors disproportionately affect underserved communities, contributing to preventable gaps in health status, life expectancy, and chronic disease outcomes.
The grant from The Cigna Group Foundation will help launch Together for Wellness, Saint Francis Hospital’s innovative hybrid care program designed to expand access to blood pressure management for patients and community residents with high blood pressure or uncontrolled hypertension. This initiative combines virtual care with clinic-based support to improve health outcomes, promote wellness, and reduce barriers to care. The program leverages Trinity Health Of New England’s model of clinical and social care integration by embedding Community Health Workers (CHWs) within primary care practices to support patients in managing their chronic disease and addressing their health-related social needs.
Through remote blood pressure monitoring, personalized nutrition education, and coordinated care, Together for Wellness empowers individuals to take control of their heart health and expands access to entire households helping them manage hypertension and gain access to other preventative care needs.
“Whether at home or in the clinic, Together for Wellness ensures patients are never alone in their journey to better blood pressure,” said Carolyn Alessi, MBA, Regional Director, Community Health and Well Being, Trinity Health Of New England. “By integrating technology, community outreach, and clinical expertise, the program strengthens access, equity, and long-term cardiovascular wellness.”
“Progress toward health equity requires us to confront disparities at their source and partner closely with organizations that truly understand their communities,” said Andrea Nelson, Board Member, The Cigna Group Foundation. “We are proud to support Saint Francis Hospital as they work to eliminate structural barriers and broaden access to essential health resources. Together, we’re creating sustainable pathways to fairer, healthier outcomes.”
The Cigna Group Foundation’s Health Equity Impact Fund focuses on U.S. cities with pronounced health inequities, including Hartford. Research shows that Hartford struggles with high poverty rates and lower life expectancy compared to other Connecticut cities. Additionally, Hartford residents are disproportionately likely to forgo health care due to lack of access to reliable transportation, and lack of access to primary care and/or lack of trust in care.
The Cigna Group Foundation has a long history of impactful partnerships with nonprofits, and announced a philanthropic and community engagement initiative that has committed more than $27 million in grants over three years to nonprofit organizations focused on improving youth and veteran mental health, and by reducing barriers to health equity. The Health Equity Impact Fund is part of these grants.
More information on The Cigna Group Foundation’s Health Equity Impact Fund can be found here.
About Saint Francis Hospital
Saint Francis Hospital has been an anchor institution in Connecticut since 1897. Saint Francis is a member of Trinity Health Of New England and Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Saint Francis Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, is a 617-bed hospital, a major teaching hospital, and the largest Catholic hospital in New England. Other Saint Francis entities include the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center, the Connecticut Joint Replacement Institute, the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute of Connecticut, the Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven at Saint Francis, Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group, and Community Health and Well Being, which includes the Curtis D. Robinson Center for Health Equity, the Joan C. Dauber Food Pantry, and the Greater Hartford Family Advocacy Center. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X @SaintFrancisCT
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the vitality of every individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services marketed under Cigna Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services or its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries and jurisdictions and has more than 180 million customer relationships around the world. Learn more at thecignagroup.com.
About The Cigna Group Foundation
The Cigna Group Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group Foundation aims to support, collaborate, and convene with nonprofit organizations addressing society’s greatest health challenges. In addition to increasing access to programs and care in geographies demonstrating significant need, the Foundation responds with humanitarian aid relief during critical times and strengthens colleagues’ support of causes through matching donations and volunteer rewards. To learn more, visit www.thecignagroup.com/community.