Grant to Support Leahy Free Clinic

The University of Scranton's Edward R. Leahy, Jr. Clinic for the Uninsured received a $10,000 critical needs grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will be used to support the free services offered to uninsured members of Lackawanna County through the clinic, which include counseling, physical therapy and vision therapy, as well as a medical clinic that offers "non-emergency" health care through a partnership with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM).

As the only completely free medical clinic in Lackawanna County providing primary and specialty care to adults, the Leahy Clinic improves the health of our community by increasing access to health care for our most vulnerable members who may otherwise forego vital care due to cost or seek care in hospital emergency rooms. The clinic is an indispensable part of the area's health care "safety net," offering longitudinal care that includes routine physical examinations, primary care, pre-work physical examinations, adult pre-education physical examinations and sick visits.

The Leahy Clinic also offers opportunities for teaching, research, learning and service to University of Scranton and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine faculty, students and volunteers. The clinic follows a student-run model of operation, with medical oversight provided by Geisinger, expanding opportunities for practical experience in patient care, clinic management and other aspects of healthcare for students at both schools.

In addition to serving neighbors in need, the clinic offers hands-on teaching and learning opportunities for medical students, nursing students, counseling students and occupational therapy and physical therapy students. Students also receive management and operations experiences by running the clinic.

The mission of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, a public 501c3 community foundation, is to enhance the quality of life for all people in Northeastern Pennsylvania through the development of organized philanthropy. According to its website, the foundation serves as a steward, a grant-maker, a charitable resource and a catalyst for change. The foundation manages more than 300 charitable funds established by philanthropic individuals in our community and have granted more than $20 million to assist the educational, human service, environmental, civic, and arts and cultural organizations in Northeastern Pennsylvania.