Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Grant Supports Extension of Services Offered by University’s Leahy Clinic for the Uninsured

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation (NPHCF) awarded a grant to The University of Scranton’s Edward R. Leahy Jr. Center Clinic for the Uninsured, which provides free primary care services to uninsured residents of Scranton and Lackawanna County communities. From left:

Henry J. Sallusti, NPHCF board member; Debra A Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies; Andrea Mantione, director of the University’s Leahy Community Health and Family Center; Meg Hambrose, director of corporate and foundation relations at the University; Laura Ducceschi, president and CEO of the Scranton Area Foundation (administrator of the NPHCF); and Matthew E. Haggerty, Esq., secretary/treasurer, NPHCF.

The University of Scranton’s Edward R. Leahy Jr. Center Clinic for the Uninsured received a $20,000 grant from The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation to support the expansion of services offered through clinic to area residents in need.

In addition to primary care services offered to the uninsured residents of Lackawanna County free of charge, the Leahy Clinic has expanded services to include low vision therapy, physical therapy and counseling services to disadvantaged patients at no charge. The clinic was able to accomplish this through the innovative use of undergraduate and graduate student volunteers and faculty members, as well as other University resources. Support from this grant will provide supplies, equipment, personnel and outreach activities necessary for the success of these services.

Since its founding in 2007, the Leahy Clinic has worked to improve access to health and wellness care for disadvantaged and marginalized residents of Lackawanna County who also are uninsured. In 2016, the Leahy Clinic provided 1,010 patient visits, bringing the total number of patient visits since 2007 to 12,594. Also in 2016, the clinic was able to assist patients in receiving 413 therapeutic prescriptions.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, established in 2011 following the sale of Mercy Hospital in Scranton, is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the people of the region and particularly those most vulnerable and most underserved of the population. The Scranton Area Foundation serves as the administrator of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation. The Scranton Area Foundation is a public foundation that has been serving the people of Lackawanna County since 1954.