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FRAMINGHAM – MetroWest Free Medical Program, which offers free medical care to patients through its adult medicine, women’s health, and vision clinics, has announced that it will be changing locations.
Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center at 354 Waverly Street in Framingham will be the
new temporary site for its adult medicine and women’s health clinics starting Tuesday, March 8.
“With similar missions to provide health care to anyone in need no matter their ability to pay, we are pleased that we have enhanced our relationship with MetroWest Free Medical Program by providing the program with temporary space for up to a year while they search for a permanent location,” said Stephen J. Kerrigan, President and CEO. “In addition to space and assisting patients with insurance enrollment, we are committed to furthering our collaboration to support comprehensive patient care.”
Lexington Eye Associates at 534 Boston Post Road in Sudbury will be the new permanent site for its vision program, under the leadership of volunteer Vision Clinic Director Dr. James Umlas.
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“I have had the opportunity to volunteer for more than a decade with MetroWest Free Medical Program,” said Dr. James Umlas. “I see patients with a range of needs, including diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts and unmet refractive needs. My colleagues at Lexington Eye Associates have agreed to host the eye program at our Sudbury office, and I am excited to contribute to ensuring individuals in our community have access to eye care.”
For many years, MetroWest Free Medical Program hosted free evening clinics at Congregation Beth El, 105 Hudson Road in Sudbury and at 110 Edgell Road in Framingham, a building owned by the First Parish in Framingham Unitarian Universalist.
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, MetroWest Free Medical Program’s walk-in clinic at Congregation Beth El was suspended.
Additionally, First Parish in Framingham-Unitarian Universalist has recently sold the 110 Edgell Road property.
“We are grateful for the continued relationship with Congregation Beth El and First Parish, and with the members who volunteer with us,” said Danielle Kehoe, Executive Director. “We are actively seeking a permanent site for our Adult Medicine, Women’s Health, and specialty services as we continue to provide in-person care and pivot to add telehealth, electronic medical records, and expand our patient navigation, behavioral health, and specialty services for our patients.”
“This past year and a half has prompted many transitions and a time of renewal for many organizations, including ours,” said Gary Hirsch, the MWFMP’s Board Chair. “We are grateful for the sustained commitment of our volunteers, staff, and community partners to our mission, and at the same time excited to engage in new partnerships as we continue to increase our capacity to provide services and quality care as we have done now for 17 years.”
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MetroWest Free Medical Program (MWFMP), founded in 2004, serves as an entry point to the health care system for those in MetroWest who are uninsured/ insufficiently insured by providing general medical and specialty care to meet immediate health care needs; connecting patients with social services, health insurance and a medical home; and advocating for policies that assure good health for all people. In over 17 years of operation, the Clinic’s volunteer providers, staff, and interpreters, have provided over 30,000 patient visits.
Funding for the program’s free care is made possible through the generosity of many individuals and foundations, including athenaGives, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, Cummings Foundation, Mable Horne Fund, MetroWest Health Foundation, MutualOne Charitable Foundation, Sanofi Genzyme Charitable Foundation, and Sudbury Foundation.
MWFMP also receives funding through the House’s FY22 state budget. MetroWest Free Medical Program is proud to have attained the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics 2021 Standards Gold Rating and the 2022 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. For more information, visit www.metrowestfreemedicalprogram.org.
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In full transparency, the following press release was submitted to SOURCE media for publication.
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