Cedar Rapids Free Clinic Awarded $25,000 Emergency Relief Grant
His Hands Free Clinic at 1245 2nd Ave SE in Cedar Rapids told KWWL recently that in 2020, they saw about 900 patients. A lower number than usual due to factors related to the derecho and despite a growing array of medical issues caused by or unrelated to the pandemic.
They lack many of the resources larger medical facilities have available to take care of patients with the new issues associated with COVID-19 and they lost 65 to 75 percent of their volunteers due to concerns about the virus.
Some major financial help is coming for His Hands thanks to a $25,000 grant from the American Academy of Family Physicians. His Hands is one of 13 free clinics to receive the funding and will use it to enhance their diabetic care with a new A1C machine as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff and volunteers.
Other items they were able to purchase include a scale with hand rails, beneficial to those with balance issues, and technology for tracking the refrigerators they use to store medications at the proper temperature.
The clinic hopes the new supplies and resources they were able to acquire with the grant will encourage more volunteers to join them. It's a three-hour commitment each month to physicians, nurses, dental assistants, dentists, and receptionists.
His Hands offers free medical, chiropractic, physical therapy, mental health, women's health, and dental care to patients who are uninsured or underinsured.
If you'd like to join a great organization in any of those capacities click here.