Gratis Healthcare Grant

Gratis Healthcare Grant is sponsored by Massachusetts Medical Society Charitable Foundation. Supports Gratis Healthcare, a physician-led nonprofit providing free primary and preventive care in the MetroWest region of Boston.

Massachusetts Medical Society: Foundation Grants Support Marginalized Communities MMS Positions on Health Care Issues Vital Signs - MMS Publication Annual Meeting Educational Programs CME Accreditation for Institutions Committees, Task Forces and Sections Leadership Meetings & Deadlines Policies, Procedures & Bylaws Corporate Partnership Program Surprise Billing and Patient Notice Telehealth and Virtual Care Career, Legal and Business Services Affiliates and Subsidiaries Specialty Management Services Foundation Grants Support Marginalized Communities Vital Signs - MMS Publication Foundation Grants Support Marginalized Communities BY JENNIFER DAY, CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DIRECTOR Illustration by Feodora Chiosea via Getty Images.

At a time when the health care system faces significant challenges and funding for vulnerable communities is declining, the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) and Alliance Charitable Foundation awarded $183,500 in grants to 16 nonprofit organizations this year.

These funds aim to improve health outcomes for more than 23,500 individuals by addressing early predictors of poor health, including access to care, behavioral health services, and food insecurity. Since its founding in 2000, the Foundation has worked to increase access to quality health care across Massachusetts.

These efforts align with the MMS’s commitment to health equity, supporting nonprofits that serve historically marginalized and vulnerable communities. “Through these grants, the Foundation empowers organizations that provide essential health services to those most in need,” says Hugh M. Taylor, MD, MMS president.

“We are committed to bridging care gaps and advancing equitable health access across Massachusetts,” says Lee Perrin, MD, chair of the Foundation Board of Directors. Spotlight on Impacted Organizations One Foundation grant recipient is the MetroWest Free Medical Program in Marlborough, MA, which offers adult medicine, women’s health, and ophthalmology clinics.

Wendy Parker, MD, a retired internist, is the medical director of the adult medicine clinic where the team of mostly volunteers provides essential care to predominantly Brazilian immigrant populations. The Foundation grant helps cover rent and administrative staffing expenses, enabling volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, other support volunteers, and a pharmacist to deliver consistent, compassionate care.

“For many of our patients, this is the only medical care they can access,” says Dr. Parker. “Our patients are tremendously appreciative, and our staff is here because they want to make a difference. Everyone leaves knowing we have helped people get the care they need and deserve.

” Rachel Vuolo, MD, a developmental-behavioral pediatric fellow at Boston Medical Center, volunteers her Thursday evenings at St. Peter’s Parish free medical clinic in Worcester, MA. ‘‘It’s often the highlight of my week — you know you’re making a difference.

You’re addressing physical concerns they might not know about and ultimately supporting healthier, more productive lives,” she explains. St. Peter’s Clinic, along with its sister facility, St.

Anne’s Free Medical Program in Shrewsbury, MA, was recently awarded a 2024 grant from the Foundation to support essential lab work and TB testing. This funding is critical, explains Dr. Vuolo, as free medical clinics are facing rising demand and prolonged waits for care at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC).

The need for timely care is greater than ever, with the free medical program volunteers providing numerous school and work physicals for patients who can’t afford out-of-pocket costs at urgent care centers, especially those still waiting for primary care.

Without grants like those from the Foundation, patients would likely endure even longer delays at other health centers or be forced to seek emergency room care for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, mental health concerns, and thyroid disorders, Dr. Vuolo adds.

Another Foundation grant recipient, Gratis Healthcare in Framingham, MA, has used its grant to expand services to a diverse and growing population in the MetroWest area.

“With the Foundation grant, Gratis Healthcare has been able to outfit exam rooms, obtain gynecology beds, and support interpreter services, enabling us to provide excellent health care to a community where 65 percent of patients are Brazilian and 25 percent are from South and Central America,” says assistant medical director Kristin Howard, MD.

Gratis Healthcare in Framingham provided more than 650 children back-to-school visits through the Foundation grant. Grants are given to organizations that address one or more of the following key areas: Access to Quality Health Care for the Uninsured and Underinsured — Clinics and organizations that provide free or subsidized health care to those who may otherwise go without care are prioritized for funding.

Preference is given to physician-led volunteer initiatives and programs that engage medical students and resident physicians. These services often go beyond basic care, including case management, education, and referrals. Behavioral Health Services — Recognizing the gap in access to behavioral and mental health services for vulnerable populations, the Foundation aims to expand these critical resources.

Grants in this category support initiatives focused on substance use intervention, counseling, and other behavioral health services across the Commonwealth. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $20,000.

To qualify, organizations must meet the following criteria: Be a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status Hold assets of less than $1 million Receive little or no state or federal funding Interested organizations must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by January 15, 2025. For more information, please visit the Foundation’s website .

If you have specific questions about eligibility, please contact Jennifer Day, charitable foundation director, at jday@mms. org . As the demand for health care services rises, the Foundation continues to play a critical role in bridging the gap for those who need it most.

Donate today and support the Foundation’s mission of increasing access to equitable health care for all. Subsidiaries & Affiliates Physician Health Services Hardware & Software Requirements (781) 893-4610 | General Support: (617) 841-2925 or support@mms. org