DENMARK, SC, – Voorhees University proudly announces that on February 17, 2026, its Rural Community Development Institute’s (RCDI) Rural Health Team was awarded a $500,000 HBCU Health Discovery Implementation Grant from the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare. The funding, provided through the HBCU Health Discovery Grant Program, will be distributed over a two-year period to expand and strengthen health initiatives on campus and throughout surrounding rural communities.
This new Implementation Grant builds upon the University’s successful 2023 HBCU Health Discovery Planning Grant and reflects Voorhees’ continued leadership in addressing rural health disparities through innovation, collaboration, and community engagement.
The Voorhees Grant Writing and Rural Health Team includes:
- Dr. Cathy Scarborough (PI), Director, Rural Community Development Institute
- Nurse Suzanne Williams, Director of Health Services and HBCU Health Discovery Lead Coordinator
- Dr. Kendal Williams, HBCU Health Discovery Strategist
- Ms. Kentasia Brown, HBCU Health Discovery Liaison
Dr. Cathy Scarborough, Principal Investigator and Director of the Rural Community Development Institute, emphasized the importance of the award. “This Implementation Grant represents a transformative opportunity for Voorhees University to deepen our impact in rural health. We are committed to building sustainable systems that empower our students and surrounding communities to make informed health decisions and increase access to care.”
Nurse Suzanne Williams added, “The HBCU Health Discovery Implementation Grant bolsters the University’s mission to enhance health and wellness on campus and in the surrounding community through Tiger I.M.P.A.C.T., an initiative that addresses six key health pillars: Investment, Mental Wellness, Physical Wellness, Advocacy, Chronic Health Disease, and Technology.”
Advancing Rural Health Through Tiger I.M.P.A.C.T.
Through this Implementation Grant, Voorhees University’s Rural Health Team will focus on:
- Increasing access to care on its rural campus while improving health and nutrition awareness and education about rural health issues in the community;
- Strengthening bi-directional community relationships to better understand and respond to the needs of both students and local residents;
- Preparing and inspiring the next generation of health leaders equipped to create meaningful change on campus and in rural communities; and
- Enhancing student wellness by strengthening mental health resources and increasing physical activity among students.
As a faith-based institution deeply rooted in service, Voorhees University remains committed to addressing health inequities and improving quality of life in rural South Carolina. This grant underscores the University’s role as a catalyst for community-centered solutions and student-led impact.
For more information, please contact: Dr. Cathy Scarborough at cscarborough@voorhees.edu.