Missouri State University is partnering with Mercy and The Kitchen Inc. to open a primary care clinic for low-income patients at its O’Reilly Clinical Health Science Center now under construction.
Details have not been finalized, but organizers hope to have the program in place by October, according to a news release. The $14.1 million health science center at MSU is slated for completion by the
fall semester.
The clinic would provide health care services for uninsured adult patients ineligible for Medicare or Medicaid coverage.
“Our purpose has always been to serve those who need us, with particular concern for the economically poor,” said Carmen Parker-Bradshaw, Mercy director of community health and access, in the release. “We’re hoping this gives uninsured patients another way to access care before their symptoms force them to the emergency room. We want to help them before their illness gets severe.”
MSU and Mercy would operate the clinic, which also would serve as a teaching opportunity for health sciences degree students. Mercy medical staff would work directly with the students, the release said.
“Not only will we provide greater service to our community, students in the college will participate in a collaborative practice model of care designed to improve health care outcomes, cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction,” said Helen Reid, dean of MSU’s college of health and human services, in the release. “This clinic will allow us to meet new accreditation standards for interprofessional education, and graduates will be even better providers for their future patients.”
General contractor DeWitt & Associates Inc. is handling the 55,000-square-foot project at the corner of Cherry Street and Holland Avenue.[[In-content Ad]]
