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OU-COM’s Community Service
Programs (CSP) is initiating a new clinical program for
uninsured residents of Athens County — Free Clinical Services.
The program is funded by grants from the Sisters of St. Joseph
Charitable Fund and the college, with support from the
Department of Family Medicine and the Appalachian Rural Health
Institute.
“We’re just delighted to begin
this service for Athens County,” says Kathy Trace,
director of CSP. “The goal is to turn this effort into a
county-wide collaboration that will serve the medical needs of
the most underserved — the uninsured — members of our
community.”
Melanie Moynan-Smith,
CSP nurse practitioner, says the Free Clinical Services program
is important for improving the health status of the county.
“So many times I see women at
breast and cervical cancer clinics who have no health insurance
or have no primary care physicians,” says Moynan-Smith. “This is
a way of establishing a medical home for patients and providing
cost-free clinical services for men and women.
“It’s a greatly needed service;
we know people will greatly benefit from it. The service is a
result of collaboration with O’Bleness Memorial Hospital,
Doctors Hospital of Nelsonville, the college and O’Bleness
family practice residents.
“Thank you to the Sisters of
St. Joseph in Parkersburg and the College of Osteopathic
Medicine for providing the funding necessary to initiate the
Free Clinical Services program.”
Beginning May 12, clinics will
be held Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m. on
CSP’s Mobile Health Unit, which will be located at the
Community Center in Stewart. Stewart is located 10 miles west of
Athens on State Route 329, off Route 50 at Guysville.
Patients must be 18 to 64 years
old with no form of health insurance. To be eligible, a “family”
of one, would be required to have a gross annual income of
$9,570 or less; to remain eligible, for each additional person
in the family, total income could be have no more than an
additional $3,260 per person. For example, for a two-person
family, gross annual income could be no more than $12,830; for a
family of three, no more than $16,090. Income guidelines are
derived from the “Health and Human Services 2005 Poverty
Guidelines.”
A nurse practitioner,
registered nurses and physicians from OU-COM will staff the
clinic. Family practice residents will serve as primary care
physicians for clients who do not have primary care physicians.
Area specialty physicians will provide care free or at a reduced
rate. Screening services, prevention and health education will
be included. Narcotics will not be prescribed or available on
the mobile unit. Lab work and X-rays will be provided by
O’Bleness and Doctors Hospital. Assistance with medications will
offered through Patient Assistance programs, samples and
vouchers.
Patients suffering from a
serious illness or accident are asked to go to the nearest
hospital or emergency service. To make an appointment at Free
Clinical Services, please call CSP at (800) 844-2654 or (740)
593-2432. Clinical services will be provided on a first-come,
first-served basis.
“It’s something that I wanted
to do for a long time,” says Jack Brose, D.O., dean of
OU-COM.
“Part of the mission emphasized
by Ohio University President Roderick McDavis is service to the
community. The community makes it possible to train our students
and provides practice opportunities for our faculty. We felt
that our Free Clinical Services is an excellent way to give back
to the community.”
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