The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation’s Family Medicine Cares USA program is designed to help new and existing free clinics care for the uninsured in areas of need across the United States by providing grants for the purchase of tangible items, such as exam tables, electronic health record systems, and medical equipment.
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) would like to recognize Maria Luisa Corpuz, MD, and the Saint Peter and Paul (SPP) Clinic in Toledo, OH; as well as Ross Black, MD, and Open M Health Services in Akron, OH, for receiving funds through the AAFP Foundation’s Family Medicine Cares USA Existing Clinic Award to help improve patient care in their respective communities.
SPP Clinic – Toledo
The SSP Clinic is a new clinic within the Community Care Clinics (CCC) organization. Dr. Corpuz explained that what distinguishes the SPP Clinic from the other clinics is that a high proportion of patients prefer Spanish as their primary language. Toledo’s census data identifies that 25.6% of its population are in poverty, 8.1% of the population under 65 years old are living without health insurance, the unemployment rate is 3.5%, and 13.5% of the population do not have a high school graduate degree.
“At the SSP Clinic, we want to make sure everyone has access to care,” said Dr. Corpuz. “We are able to treat patients for high blood pressure and diabetes, administer vaccinations, process labs, and offer patient education. The clinic has a mini pharmacy that can supply patients with 30-day prescriptions, along with resources for patients to meet with social workers, receive physical therapy, and have access to women’s health.”
On average, CCC holds six hours of clinic a month at the SPP Clinic, and it is estimated that volunteer family physicians spend approximately four hours towards direct patient care at this clinic site. Due to the limitation of resources and supplies, SPP Clinics are held biweekly; however, the current plan is to be able to hold clinics each week so that patients in the community don’t have to wait to receive healthcare. The funds will be allocated to purchasing room dividers and exam tables for privacy; as well as equipment such as laptops, medical instruments, weighing scales, blood glucose strips, and advertising materials to raise awareness about the clinic.
“I became a doctor to help people, especially people in need,” said Dr. Corpuz. “By practicing at the SSP Clinic, I not only get to treat patients with the love and respect they deserve, but also show student volunteers from the University of Toledo the altruistic side of medicine.”
Open M Medical Services – Akron
Dr. Black volunteers at Open M Health Services in Akron, which provides compassionate, quality medical care, dental care, health education, and prescription medications free of charge to adults who are uninsured in the Greater Akron area.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, 24.1% of Akron’s population lives in poverty. In 2021, Open M Health Services dispensed $1,024,111 worth of 30-day prescriptions and had 1,216 patient visits in the medical clinic, an estimated market value of $501,838. By removing barriers to healthcare, Open M Health Services makes it possible for peoples’ medical needs to be met, thus helping them move towards stability.
As of September 2021, Family Medicine Cares USA has given out a total of 94 awards for a total of $1,728, 695 to free clinics in 32 states and one U.S. territory. There are over 30 million uninsured people in the United States. Existing free clinics have seen a dramatic increase in patient demand with the majority of these patients coming from working households. The need far exceeds existing capacity, and some areas don’t have healthcare access at all.
We are proud of our family physician members who are working to combat healthcare disparities in their communities and congratulate Drs. Corpuz and Black for their recognition.