Community Health Center asks for help

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COVID-19 has taken its toll on free clinic
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The Eunice Community Health Center is usually involved in providing health care to those in need, but the coronovirus turned that situation around.
Now, the clinic is needing the public’s help because the virus shutdown many of its usual sources of funding.
“I’m writing on behalf of keeping our no-cost pharmacy/clinic operating. We are in need of funds to help sustain the clinic and continue to serve people in need. Due to COVID-19 we have suspended all fundraisers,” wrote Yancy Fontenot, executive director.
The center’s Board president, pharmacist Glynn Michaud, said, “It is the best kept secret for all the surrounding parishes to help people that are really in need of services for medications.”
Michaud added, “We are trying to really get it out there just to let people know how many people that it helps and how important it is for people who really need services like that.”
The clinic at 450 Moosa Blvd. Ste. E, Eunice, is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
The Eunice Rotary Club has been an important supporter of the clinic. The club held its Zydeco Triathlon since 2003 to raise money for the center. COVID-19 shut the event down this year.
The center also benefits from a Mardi Gras cook-off held at LSUE that draws hundreds of participants.. That event also was closed due to the virus this year.
Fontenot stated in letter, “As a safety net we are able to connect with sick and needy people by providing no cost medications, over the counter meds, medical supplies and low cost lab work.’
Fontenot stated the following about the center.
— 9,000-plus client encounters: refills of medications, Tdap vaccine, referrals, flu vaccine, free mammograms, clinic triage (urine test, blood pressure check, glucose checks) and includes providing over the counter meds, supplies, patient assistance program and case management.
— Free pharmacy: 288,000 prescriptions filled, patient savings of $40,000,000. Provided by prescription medication and medical supplies through Direct Relief, Americares and Heart to Heart foundations. Recycled medications are from nursing home facilities.
— Lab-work patient savings of $110,000 provided by Clinical Pathology Laboratories
— Medical supplies and over the counter medications: $250,000.
— Facilities that unitize our services are Opelousas General Hospital, UHC in Lafayette, CIS Opelousas, Acadian Medical Center, Dr. Zebediah Stearns, Heinen Medical Center, Southwest Primary in Opelousas, Rural Health Clinic, Dr. Juliet Robinson, Dr. Reginald Segar, Dr. Randy Miller, Dr. Fernando Alemany and others.
Fontenot stated the mission is to provide preventive and primary health care to the uninsured and under-insured residents of the region.
Fontenot stated supporters include OGH Spice Foundation, Acadian Medical Center, Heinen Medical Center LHC, Cleco, Grace Home Health, State Rep. Phillip Devillier, Dr. Jevin Bordelon, Dr. Fink & Moser, Michaud at Maple Avenue, Michelle Andrus at Thrifty Way, and Rebecca Cormier at Reed’s Pharmacy.
The medical director is Dr. Zebediah Stearns and the pharmacist is Michaud.
Want to help?
Contact Yancy Fontenot, executive director of the Eunice Community Health Center, at 337-457-1205; fax, 337-457-5523.