Lunenburg localities have thrown their support behind efforts by a local healthcare operation to get grant money.

Southern Dominion Health System Inc. is a federally qualified healthcare center operating on federal funding awarded by Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. It is required to reapply for the funding and status every three years and sought support of the localities.

The funding allows the organization to operate health and dental offices throughout Southside Virginia. They are: Lunenburg Medical Center, Amelia Healthcare Center, Dinwiddie Medical Center, Emporia Medical Center, SDHS Family Dentistry and SDHS Counseling and Behavior Services.

“These offices provide primary health care, lab and diagnostics, dental and mental health services to the underserved populations,” Jill Seamans, the interim chief executive officer for Southern Dominion wrote in a letter to County Administrator Tracy Gee seeking support from the Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors.

The company asked the localities for the letters of support by late July so as to accommodate submission deadlines. The county and town governments have given their support through letters.

“Southern Dominion plays a critical role in serving the primary health care needs of a large medically underserved region in the Central Piedmont region of Virginia,” notes a sample letter. “In addition, Southern Dominion with its medical, dental and behavioral health clinics brings access to specialized care through a well-developed and active referral system. Without these medical centers in our area, our citizens would be denied access to these vital services.”

Victoria Interim Town Manager Rodney Newton noted that the town “basically” used the same wording.