Bluegrass Care Navigators Receives Grant Award from Disabled Veterans National Foundation

July 24, 2024

Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) is honored to announce it has received a grant from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) for $18,000 which will allow us to focus our Integrative Medicine therapies on serving more of our veteran patients across our service lines.   

“Thank you, DVNF, for your generous support,” Liz Fowler, President and CEO of BCN, said. “This grant empowers us to continue serving our veteran patients with integrative medicine therapies like art, music, and massage sessions. Your kindness ensures that all veterans, regardless of financial means, receive the holistic care they deserve." 


Joseph VanFonda (USMC Sgt.Maj. Ret.), CEO of the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, said, “At DVNF, we are committed to ensuring that veterans receive the comprehensive care they need and deserve. Supporting BCN's integrative medicine therapies is a vital step in addressing the complex physical and psychological challenges that many veterans face. We are proud to partner with BCN to enhance the quality of life for our nation’s heroes.” 


BCN offers comprehensive healthcare services with a special focus on veteran patients. We provide personalized medical care, including hospice and palliative care, grief counseling services, and specialized treatments tailored to the unique needs of veterans. Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals and volunteers are trained to address the physical and psychological challenges faced by veterans, such as PTSD and chronic pain. We also offer a Vet-to-Vet Companionship program through which we match veteran patients with volunteers who served in the same wars or time periods, seeking to provide social and emotional connections that only another veteran could provide to the patient. 


As veterans approach the end of life, those still grappling with unresolved military traumas may exhibit anxiety, agitation, nightmares, and behaviors that reflect their vigilant military service. Such challenges may include drug or substance abuse and interpersonal difficulties, necessitating guidance in navigating estranged relationships and fostering compassion and trust. Our BCN integrative medicine clinicians understand and recognize the need to continue using discipline-specific interventions and resources related to art, music, and massage therapy to address veterans' complex needs as they develop individualized care plans. Support from this DVNF grant will provide the resources necessary to ensure our veteran patients continue to receive the highest quality of care and support they deserve. 


About the Disabled Veterans National Foundation 

Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom. 

DVNF achieves this mission by: 


  • Offering direct financial support to veteran organizations that address the unique needs of veterans, and whose missions align with that of DVNF. 
  • Providing supplemental assistance to homeless and low-income veterans through the Health & Comfort program and various empowerment resources. 
  • Providing an online resource database that allows veterans to navigate the complex process of seeking benefits they are entitled to due to their military service and additional resources they need. 
  • Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community and educating the public accordingly. 


About Bluegrass Care Navigators 

Established in 1978, Bluegrass Care Navigators is a nationally recognized, leading nonprofit provider of expert care for the frail and elderly in 32 counties across northern, central, and eastern Kentucky. Our compassionate team of over 700 employees and 300 volunteers supports more than 16,000 patients annually with transitional care, home health, PACE (the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), palliative care, integrative medicine, hospice care, and grief counseling services. For more information on Bluegrass Care Navigators’ services, visit www.bgcarenav.org or call 855.492.0812. 


Media Contacts: 
Disabled Veterans National Foundation: Meredith Fick, Communications Team, communications@dvnf.org 

Bluegrass Care Navigators: Aimee Hiller, Marketing Director, ahiller@bgcarenav.org 

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