Nurses of Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center
Across our state, charitable clinics play a critical role — providing no-cost health and dental care for thousands of people who are uninsured or under-insured.
To support this need, the Pennsylvania Charitable Healthcare Coalition (PCHC) has launched GiveCare: Now, a statewide initiative calling for volunteer doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, dental assistants, mental health professionals, and people with administrative skills.
PCHC is the unified voice for more than 50 charitable healthcare providers across the Commonwealth, delivering essential medical care to uninsured and under-insured individuals who would otherwise lack access to any form of care at all.
Kristen Houser Rapp, Executive Director of PCHC, said, “The work of our clinics is life-changing, and we’ve launched a call for volunteers to help us meet the growing needs of our communities.”
The charitable clinics play a vital role in maintaining the health of individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid, helping them avoid the burdens of medical debt from urgent care, emergency visits, and medications.
While some operate with limited staff, most of the care provided by charitable healthcare providers is delivered by dedicated volunteers.
“Right now, and in the weeks and months to come, opportunities are available for volunteers to help provide care and give back to others,” said Rapp. Anyone interested in volunteering should visit pacharitablehealth.org/volunteer, where PCHC can help connect them with a local clinic.
Volunteer opportunities vary from clinic to clinic and by position. All volunteers are required to undergo credentialing and background checks, and receive training and support from the clinic.
Ridge Salter, M.D., a volunteer at Katallasso Family Health Center in York, shared, “Volunteering my expertise has added so much professional fulfillment, and I know it has been an antidote — and a bit of an immunization — to burnout.”
In 2023, PCHC member clinics collectively managed over 114,000 appointments, averaging more than 3,000 per clinic. The demand for services has intensified, particularly as many residents lost Medicaid coverage over the past year.
Mary Herbert, MPH, MS, Clinical Director at The Program for Health Care to Underserved Populations/Birmingham Free Clinic in Pittsburgh, noted, “Despite their lack of state funding, free providers face the need to accommodate a major shift in the number of patients we serve, doing more than ever with limited resources.”
The importance of volunteers in this system cannot be overstated. Highmark Foundation President Yvonne Cook emphasized, “PCHC’s member clinics and charitable providers fill a growing gap that many of our most vulnerable neighbors rely on for basic care, and volunteers are critical to this work. The Highmark Foundation recognizes the vital work of charitable clinics and is proud to continue our partnership with PCHC through a $172,700 grant to further its mission to provide equitable, quality health care for all Pennsylvanians.”
For a list of local clinics near you, go to: https://www.pacharitablehealth.org/cliniclocations.
ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA CHARITABLE HEALTHCARE COALITION (PCHC)
PCHC serves as both a support and advocacy organization for free and charitable healthcare providers who form a crucial part of the healthcare safety net. These clinics offer a range of services, including medical screenings, chronic disease management, medication assistance, dental care, and connections to other social services. Operating without state or federal funding, they rely heavily on community support.
For further details about PCHC, volunteer opportunities, and a searchable database of clinic locations, visit www.pacharitablehealth.org.
Photo Credit: Dr. Keith Kanel
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