PAINESVILLE: Lake County Free Clinic, the only free clinic serving Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, has added three new staff members: Melanie Anderson, RN, as a clinical coordinator, Courtney Gravens, FNP, as medical director, and Carla Montalvo, as the organization’s first case manager.
“Melanie, Courtney and Carla bring valuable experience to their roles, but beyond that, they have a passion to serve our uninsured and underinsured neighbors and community members,” said Marty Hiller, LCFC executive director. “They have quickly learned the needs of our patients, whether for medical care or social services, and are structuring and building their departments and services on LCFC’s 50-year foundation of serving in northeast Ohio.
Anderson, of Madison, has worked in nursing for more than 20 years, with a focus on emergency medicine. She joined LCFC in December as a clinical coordinator, working with patients and volunteers, drawing labs, preparing medication and supplies, and helping to ensure daily medical services run smoothly.
“Far more people are going through situations we will never know about that affect every aspect of their lives,” Anderson said. “I have seen hundreds of patients who were worried about paying for their care. At Lake County Free Clinic, though, I know that we are giving patients the help they need and they don’t have to worry about paying for medicine or appointments they can’t afford.”
Gravens, of Willoughby, has more than 20 years working in the medical field, with experience ranging from patient care and education to nursing leadership and clinical instruction. She began serving as LCFC’s medical director April 1, after working as a nurse practitioner in several northeast Ohio companies.
“I have worked in walk-in clinics for acute illnesses and retail health where I was able to see how the costs of medical care placed it out of reach for many people,” Gravens said. “As a nurse, the foundation of our role is caregiving. It was heartbreaking to have to turn away patients who couldn’t pay. I am so glad to be a part of a team that will help patients with reachable goals and better health, where cost isn’t a factor. It is exciting to come to work every day and know I will make a difference in my patients’ lives.”
Gravens will be working with LCFC volunteers to launch a women’s health component to medical care, providing clinical breast and cervical exams for women who are uninsured or unable to afford the costs of using their insurance.
“More than half of our patients are women, and many have not had this vital exam in many years, if ever,” Gravens said. “We are looking forward to being able to provide this care and any needed referrals to help our patients stay healthy.”
Montalvo, of Mentor, worked as a case manager, victims’ service advocate and substance abuse counselor before joining LCFC in late April. As the organization’s first case manager, she will be building on a base set by volunteers working to link patients with needed social services.
“I am excited to be able to support the underserved of this community and surrounding counties,” she said. “There is a large, diverse group of those in need of help and assistance. Poverty, tragedies and unexpected life emergencies happen to everyone in any stage of life and income — they are not specific to one group of people.
“My goal is to develop a direct support, outreach and referral program where our patients can feel comfortable sharing their urgent needs, feel supported by people who understand and care and, most importantly, feel heard and know that they and their families are important.”
Both programs have received wide community support. United Way of Lake County, a long-time supporter of the clinic’s medical and dental programs, provided an award that allowed LCFC to begin the volunteer-run case management program that will serve as the base for the expanded program headed by Montalvo. The George Gund Foundation has also committed a two-year award to providing support for both case management and women’s health.
“We are so grateful to the organizations and individuals who recognize the gaps in our community’s healthcare safety net and are committed to providing care that begins to mend some of these holes,” Hiller said. “A free clinic is only as healthy as the support it receives from the community and reflects the value that community places on the health of its residents.”
Lake County Free Clinic provides no-cost medical care, lab tests, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to adults and children who are uninsured or unable to afford the costs associated with their insurance. In addition to women’s health and case management, clinic staff and volunteer providers specialize in care for chronic conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure, acute conditions, like infections, rashes and colds, and preventive care. LCFC’s no-cost dental program remains suspended while the clinic operates from a temporary location in Painesville.
Learn more at www.lakefreeclinic.org or by following LCFC on Facebook.
