Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic receives $50K grant from BCBSRI

PROVIDENCE – Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic has received $50,000 in grant funding from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island to support its Cheer walk-in clinic.
Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic provides primary care services to the uninsured.
Cheer opened two years ago with pilot funding from BCBSRI, and has received grant funding from BCBSRI each of the three years since.
“Every day, three or four people walk in for health care issues like numbness in their feet, or headache, that may not seem serious, and we discover underlying chronic diseases such as diabetes, or hypertension as the cause of their problem. We have a great crew of volunteers who work hard to take care of each and every patient need,” Dr. Anne S. De Groot, one of the clinic’s several health care providers and founders, said in a statement.
The Cheer walk-in clinic at 60 Valley St. provides a cost-effective alternative to emergency room visits for the uninsured. Patients who may otherwise have visited the emergency room for care can receive treatment for non-emergent health care needs, including access to health screenings for glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as vaccinations and pre-employment physicals.
A study conducted by Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic suggested that the Cheer Clinic will save an estimated $1.28 million in future health care costs. The grant from BCBSRI will help the clinic continue to serve its continuing care medical clinic patients while also funding:

  • A walk-in clinic for non-urgent care hours from 2-7 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays
  • A part-time nurse responsible for managing walk-in patients and supervising volunteer physician extenders
  • Community health workers known as Navegantes, who provide health education and medication reinforcement, and connect patients to free care opportunities
  • Materials for on-site blood (fingerstick) and urine screens

“We are proud to support the great work Clínica Esperanza and the Cheer Clinic are doing to combat health disparities in our state by providing important care to the uninsured,” Bobby Rodriguez, vice president of organization development and chief diversity officer at BCBSRI, said in a statement.
Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, founded in August 2007, provides free medical care and preventive health services to adults living in Rhode Island who don’t have health insurance or cannot afford to purchase health care.
In other health-related news, the Rhode Island Free Clinic is celebrating its 15th year on Oct. 22 with a fundraising event at the Providence Biltmore Garden Room from 6-8 p.m.
The Rhode Island Free Clinic provides care for the state’s uninsured, low-income and working poor adults who would otherwise be forced to neglect their health.
The fundraising event will spotlight the clinic’s founder, Rhode Island first lady Stephanie Chafee, as well as its volunteer medical director, Dr. Caroline Troise.
The emphasis on health will continue with a raffle of the latest Fit Bit and Gear Fit technologies.
Ocean State Job Lot’s CEO, Marc Perlman, will serve as auctioneer and motivate event guests to contribute funds for the delivery of patient services.
For information about Rhode Island Free Clinic or to purchase tickets to the 15th Anniversary Celebration, visit www.rifreeclinic.org/ or call Ashley Nicoson at (401) 274-6347, ext.201.

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