Will-Grundy Medical Clinic Wins Innovation Award

Submitted by the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic

Photo: WGMC Executive Director Shawn Marconi accepts the Innovation Award from the Illinois Association of Free & Charitable Clinics on Dec. 7.

JOLIET, IL — The Will-Grundy Medical Clinic was presented with the Innovation Award from the Illinois Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (IAFCC) at the 5th Annual Conference on Dec. 7 at Starved Rock State Park.

The Innovation Award is presented annually in recognition of innovative approaches to patient care that result in measurable improvements to patient health and well-being. The WGMC was selected this year for its Care Coordination Program.

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The main goal of the program is to improve patient outcomes. The WGMC is implementing disease care management plans for 100 percent of its chronically ill patients. All patients are offered ancillary services, including nutrition counseling and education, fitness classes and mental health counseling.

Through a partnership with Midwestern University and Roosevelt University, fourth-year pharmacy students provide medication teach back and management counseling to clinic patients. The Care Coordination Program produces quantifiable improvements in patient health and the unique structure of the program reduces costs for the WGMC while providing hands-on experiences for students.

The Illinois Association of Free & Charitable Clinics was formed to help strengthen and grow Illinois’ free and charitable clinics – without whom over 40,000 patients would otherwise have no access to quality healthcare. The IAFCC helps free and charitable clinics move effectively into the future; connects patients with clinics; and helps many stakeholder organizations who wish to work with or help clinics. The theme of this year’s IAFCC Annual Conference was “Resilient & Relevant.” As providers serving the state’s most vulnerable populations, clinic patients’ stories pinpoint the continuing gaps in the healthcare system.

The Will-Grundy Medical Clinic is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that provides free medical and dental care to adults who have no health insurance or medical care entitlements and meet prescribed income guidelines. Care is provided by physicians, dentists and other professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to the Clinic. For more information, please visit www.willgrundymedicalclinic.org.