For Immediate Release

Contact:

Laura Blodgett

734-712-4536

Laura.Blodgett@stjoeshealth.org

June 20, 2018

DETROIT, Mich. – (June 20, 2018) – Mercy Primary Care Center (MPCC), a Trinity Health owned and operated health center serving low-income patients in need of care on the east side of Detroit, has signed an operating agreement effective immediately to manage Cabrini Clinic, one of the oldest free health clinics in the United States, which has for many years been affiliated with the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Parish under the Archdiocese of Detroit.

The agreement specifies that MPCC will provide both executive and management services, and contribute funding over the next three years to enable the free, walk-in clinic to continue to operate and care for the members of the community needing the clinic's services.

"There is a misconception that there is no longer a need for free clinics due to the Affordable Care Act," said Tawana NettlesRobinson, executive director, Mercy Primary Care Center and Cabrini Clinic. "However, we are seeing an increase in the number of people who are uninsured in metro Detroit as individuals and families continue to have a difficult time getting and staying insured even under Medicaid expansion. One of the largest issues continues to be access to needed medication, which people can’t afford when they are uninsured."

Founded in 1950 by Monsignor Clem Kern, the clinic is located at 1234 Porter Street in the Corktown neighborhood of southwest Detroit, and will continue its affiliation with Most Holy Trinity Catholic Parish. It was named after St. Frances Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants and hospital administrators, who was the first naturalized U.S. citizen to be declared a saint in 1946.

The current three-person staff, including a nurse practitioner, social worker and front desk receptionist, will continue to serve patients at the clinic. The clinic also relies on more than 100 volunteers from local hospitals, including primary care physicians, pharmacists, psychiatrists, podiatrists, and a gynecologist. Volunteer providers commit to serving at least once a month at the clinic.

Many providers have served at the clinic for more than 15 years.

Open three days a week, the clinic currently provides about 3,000 visits a year treating around 250 patients a month. Because the clinic serves patients living in areas with limited health care resources, the clinic cares for a high percentage of patients with chronic diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, as well as behavioral health issues and substance abuse. Through MPCC funding and leveraging resources, the clinic hopes to grow its services by adding specialty care services which has had limited access in the city of Detroit.

"I am very appreciative to Trinity Health, a Catholic health care system, for their willingness to manage our clinic,” said Monsignor Charles Kosanke, pastor of Most Holy Trinity Parish. “This agreement will effectively allow the clinic to continue its legacy of assisting those who are experiencing poverty with quality health care. I believe that it is a win-win situation.”

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About Mercy Primary Care Center

Supported by Trinity Health Ministries, Mercy Primary Care (MPCC) is a health center serving the needs of Detroit's uninsured and underinsured patients. MPCC seeks to eliminate barriers to comprehensive care by providing access to laboratory, diagnostic testing, specialty care, health education, pharmaceuticals and transportation services. Since its inception, MPCC has provided over 80,000 patient visits, serving approximately 6000 unique patients visits annually. In addition, the Special Personal Assistance program has provided over 5,000 showers to homeless individuals who otherwise would not have access to this basic need. MPCC strives to treat the whole person, body, mind and spirit.