Ten Year Mark for Leahy Clinic
By Miranda Colburn
On Nov. 17, 2007, The Edward R. Leahy Jr. Clinic for the Uninsured opened not only their doors to the underserved in the Greater Scranton community but also their hearts. The clinic began with only two patients. Now, local doctors, nurses, staff, students and community volunteers serve more than 5,000 patients from the community to fulfill a gap in health care, which every individual needs and deserves.
On Feb. 18, 2008, The University of Scranton officially announced the opening of The Edward R. Leahy Jr. Clinic for the Uninsured. Now, 10 years later, the clinic opens its doors every day to provide free medical care to the underserved of Lackawanna County, offering physical therapy clinic twice weekly, counseling clinic every Wednesday, medical clinic every Thursday, and low vision clinic appointments throughout the week. Throughout the past 10 years, the community, staff and students have built a lasting relationship evolving into what is now a University- and community-wide achievement.
2008 - The president of The University of Scranton at the time, the Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J., presents opening remarks at the dedication with Dr. Debra Pellegrino, academic dean and executive director of the Edward R. Leahy Jr Center Clinic for the Uninsured and Gregory Borowski, M.D., medical director in the background.
2009 - Edmund Kosmahl, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, and third-year graduate students start the physical therapy clinic.
2011 - The Edward R. Leahy Jr. Center Clinic for the Uninsured is appreciative of the many doctors who volunteer, including its own Lewis Druffner, M.D.
2012 - The University of Success program, housed in the Leahy Center, continues to bring soon-to-be college-bound high school students to campus for support.
2013 - Gerianne Barber NCC, LPC, director of the Counselor Training Center works closely with the graduate students in counseling to reflect after their sessions with clients.
2015 - The “Peace Makers” program, under the direction of the PCPS Counseling Department, guides University of Scranton counseling students with mentoring activities. Andrea Mantione assists with PCPS student volunteers working with elementary children age 9 to 12 years.
2016 - Occupational Therapy students assist in the Low Vision Clinic started by Julie Nastasi, Ph.D., assistant professor at Scranton.