Stuber Health Center launches new lab program on their 113th year with ribbon-cutting ceremony
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- Stuber Health Center celebrated a new addition to its services on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new lab program.
The program is a partnership with Heart to Heart International and is funded by a grant from the United Way of Greater St. Joseph.
Heather Lee, vice president of development at Heart to Heart International, said the organization provides free point-of-care laboratory services to free and charitable clinics across the country.
“We had a partnership with Stuber Health Center, and they said that they needed point-of-care laboratory capabilities, and so we collaborated to make sure the clinic has free access to diagnostic care,” Lee said.
"Many people don't realize how difficult it can be to get a laboratory test," Lee said. "Often, patients have to make multiple trips just to receive their results."
With this new testing capability, patients will be able to get diagnostic results during a single visit — a major benefit for those who have trouble finding transportation.
“The easier we can make it for people to have equitable and quality health care, it’s better for everyone in the community,” she said.
She noted how the project was made possible through the collaboration of Heart to Heart, United Way and Stuber Health Center, along with support from numerous community members.
Lee said the effort reflects the care and compassion that exists in St. Joseph and demonstrates what can happen when organizations and residents work together.
She hopes that community members will feel proud of what was accomplished.
“We truly care about our neighbors, and that’s not something we see every day, and it's a really good reminder of the power of being kind to each other,” Lee added.
For Latha Varghese, executive director of Stuber Health Center, the new equipment marks an exciting step forward for the clinic.
“This point of care testing will allow us to just with a finger print, we can test so many of those labs, and then know the results within 15-20 minutes while the patient is there,” she said.
Varghese said the technology will be especially helpful because many of the clinic’s patients are managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. The funding will also cover testing supplies for nearly a year.
She explained that when she applied for the Heart to Heart Lab Program grant six to eight months ago, Stuber Health was selected as one of only seven finalists nationwide to receive funding.
“At the last minute, they said they didn’t receive enough funding to continue the program, and that’s when Heather went to the United Way asking for funding, and that was an unusual way we were supposed to directly ask that,” she said.
Varghese said about 60% of the clinic’s patients live with two or more chronic conditions, and the team hopes the new testing capabilities will help them better manage their health.
