About
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Given the vast health challenges facing Mississippians, The Bower Foundation directs its funds and energies into making sustainable, systemic improvements in the state’s health and education infrastructures.
Through a rigorous and highly selective application process, the Foundation combines strong partnerships and leveraged resources to transform systems and accelerate better health outcomes and policy.
The legacy of Dr. John D. Bower’s work inspires The Bower Foundation to continue the work of caring for the health of Mississippians.
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John D. Bower, M.D., comes to Mississippi
John D. Bower, M.D., a young nephrologist, moved from the Medical College of Virginia to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi.
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Public health service grant
Dr. Bower applied for and received one of the first public health service grants to study dialysis. In 1966, UMC opened the state’s first dialysis unit.
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Achieving affordability
Dr. Bower helped persuade Congress to pass Legislation H.R. 1, declaring persons with End Stage Renal Disease eligible for Medicare. The challenge for dialysis then shifted from affordability to accessibility, as people were having to drive hundreds of miles for treatment at facilities that were already full.
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Making care accessible
Dr. Bower committed to make dialysis facilities and services accessible for Mississippi kidney patients. He set a long-term goal to establish dialysis facilities within 30 miles of any patient’s home. A 501(c)(3) corporation was founded to carry out this commitment, and Kidney Care, Inc., came into being.
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Kidney Care expands
Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Kidney Care centers opened in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
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Transition to Philanthropy
In the 23 years of Kidney Care’s existence, Dr. Bower and his dedicated staff of health care providers opened dialysis facilities in 22 different cities. In order to ensure future care for patients, in 1996 Kidney Care, Inc., merged with other dialysis programs and Vanderbilt University to form Renal Care Group, Inc. The proceeds from this transaction were used to form the Kidney Care Foundation. The first grant was awarded to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
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The Bower Foundation
Dr. Bower retired, and the Kidney Care Foundation changed its name to The Bower Foundation.
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Center for Mississippi Health Policy
The establishment of the Center stimulates dialogue and informs decision making with reliable and timely health data.
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Recognition
Dr. Bower received the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s first-ever Vanguard Award recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the medical center, the state and kidney patients. That same year, Dr. Bower also received the Hope Award for Outstanding Community Service.
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John D. Bower School of Population Health
The Bower Foundation played an integral role in establishing the School of Population Health. We were humbled upon hearing the official name of UMMC’s newest school – the John D. Bower School of Population Health.
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Inspire Health
The establishment of Inspire Health as a platform for online healthcare modules for healthcare students and professionals.
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Healthcare Workforce
We began a commitment to improve the healthcare workforce in Mississippi.
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