Faithworks Clinic awarded Blue Cross grant
The Faithworks Charitable Medical Clinic at Oaks of Righteousness Sacred Heart Health Center recently received a $15,000 Strengthen the Safety Net grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
This year, the insurance company awarded a total of $900,000 in grants to 47 Michigan clinics who serve a combined 65,000 patients. Blue Cross has given out Strengthen the Safety Net grants since 2008, so far awarding $18 million to Michigan clinics.
Monroe's Faithworks also received a Strengthen the Safety Net grant last year.
The grants, said Blue Cross, help Michigan clinics provide free or low-cost medical, dental, behavioral health care and other services to vulnerable Michigan residents.
“Access to affordable health care and improving health equity are core to Blue Cross’ historic social mission,” said Ken Hayward, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan vice president and special assistant to the president for Community Relations. “Strengthening the Safety Net is a hallmark program showing our steadfast commitment to improving the health and well-being of everyone in Michigan. The program also reminds us that we need to continue closing the gap in accessibility and quality of care in innovative ways and through collaborative partnerships with our clinic providers and local communities.”
Faithworks Charitable Medical Clinic provides urgent and episodic care to Monroe area patients. It will use the Blue Cross grant money to support its operations and services.
“Lab studies for uninsured, medications, equipment and medical supplies and office supplies and mailings,” said Beth Bedra executive director of Faithworks.
Faithworks is funded by donations and grants and currently sees about 200 patients each year. The clinic was started in 2012, as a way to provide health care to working poor adults. In the last 10 years, the clinic has moved, increased its clientel, added urgent care and, most recently, began to offer counseling.
“We initially opened at Elevate Monroe Church, under the leadership of Dr. Susan Hulsemann,” Bedra said. “Our focus was on caring for the ‘working uninsured.’ We cared for only adults. These working people were the working poor, living at 200% poverty level. When the Affordable Healthcare Act was passed, we found that many of these same patients became insured. We did evaluate over time how the Affordable Healthcare Act may have opened another door for patients in need of care. We found that people were now underinsured and/or their co-pays/deductibles are a stumbling block to seeking care.”
Two years ago, the clinic moved to a new location and expanded its offerings.
“In 2019, we evaluated moving sites, and in 2020, opened and currently operate an office space within Oaks of Righteousness Sacred Heart Health Center. We treat all patients, regardless of insurance status. We are expanding to offer short-term counseling services,” Bedra said.
Faithworks now treats people of all ages, including children.
“This is a walk-in clinic for patients of all ages. We provide urgent, as well as primary care services,” Bedra said. “We also have a family medicine provider who is fellowship-trained to provide obstetrical care. Anyone may come for services, insured, underinsured or uninsured. We do work for insured patients to get them connected with their primary care physician and if they do not have one, to get them connected.”
Faithworks’ staff members include family medicine attending physicians and family medicine residents from ProMedica. Dr. Nicholas Schenk is the lead attending physician. Other physicans are Dr. Laura Grima and Dr. Edward Kresyman.
Volunteer registered nurses from the community who work at the clinic include Bedra, Sandy Libstorff, Sue Durance, Mary DeSloover, Linda Manor, Gretchen Davison and Bev Tipton. Judy Greene, Renee Larzelere and Donna Iott work in patient registration.
In 2020, Faithworks saw 158 patients; in 2021, it saw 201 patients. So far this year, Faithworks has seen 177 patients, Bedra said.
Faithworks is open from 9 a.m. to noon the first and third Friday of each month and from 1 to 4 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The fourth Tuesday has a focus on women’s health.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Faithworks Clinic awarded Blue Cross grant
