2025 Health Care Champions Health Care Organization – Small: Mercy’s MSU Care Clinic

Mercy’s MSU Care Clinic goes above and beyond providing medical care. A branch of Mercy Springfield Communities’ charitable arm, it operates on the belief that financial status should not preclude anyone from receiving quality care.

“MSU Care is not just a clinic, it is a mission in action,” says Practice Manager Justin Gassel, “an unwavering commitment to serve, uplift and walk alongside those who need it most.”

The clinic was founded in 2015 in partnership between Mercy and Missouri State University, located in the O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center on campus. It provides no-cost health care for those who meet eligibility criteria. All those served fall below the 200% federal poverty line and receive Medicaid or are uninsured. The clinic served 1,573 patients in 2024 and has exceeded that patient volume already this year, with 1,995 patients seen as of Oct. 22. It also partners with the Greene County Jail’s Diversion Program to care for those who lost insurance due to incarceration. Since its founding, the clinic has provided more than $20 million in medications at no cost.

“The clinic serves as a lifeline for those who might otherwise fall through the cracks,” says Gassel.

MSU Care’s services include family medicine and primary care, chronic disease management, vaccinations, lab draws and nutrition and pharmacy consultation. However, it goes beyond traditional medical care to address factors that often contribute to vulnerability. It offers food access resources, hygiene products, a clothes bank, at-home medical supplies, transportation assistance and mental health counseling consultations. An outpatient case manager assists patients in navigating these resources and more.

“With a dedicated care team, MSU Care not only addresses patients’ immediate health needs but also helps them find long-term stability,” says Gassel. “This empowers individuals to move out of poverty and maintain healthier lives over time.”

Individuals without resources to afford primary care often go to the emergency department, resulting in overcrowding and other issues. The MSU clinic provides a more appropriate resource to access the necessary care. Including multiple services under one roof also eliminates transportation barriers so patients don’t have to travel between locations. Professional translation services help eliminate barriers for non-English speakers. Because the patients often have more complex situational needs, the clinic also offers longer primary care appointment times.

MSU Care partners with local nonprofits to share community resources, including being a member of the Healthcare to Housing Coalition with Community Partnership of the Ozarks Inc.

“MSU Care sees its role in the Ozarks as a beacon of hope, a place where those who are fearful, anxious or mistrusting of health care systems can find compassion and care,” says Gassel. “This comprehensive support allows patients to focus on healing without having to face the complexities of their care journey alone.”