Health and Human Services News

A decade of caring for underserved communities

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On Oct. 15, the Missouri State University Care Clinic celebrated its 10th anniversary with leaders from Mercy and community members.  

The clinic opened in 2015 on campus to provide free health services and medications for underserved and uninsured patients. Since then, it has served more than 33,000 patients through a wide range of services, expanding primary care access for Springfield neighbors.  

Milestone grounded in community care 

Connie Sayre has served at the clinic since day one. 

“I love that we’re here to care for our patients and that Missouri State and Mercy have teamed up to make sure our most vulnerable patients have access to care,” she said. 

The clinic provides primary care, vaccines, pharmacy counseling, nutrition guidance, lab tests and electrocardiograms. It also offers in-clinic procedures, such as wound care, suture removal, ear irrigation and nebulizer support. 

Many visitors cannot afford traditional primary care or have delayed care; some are homeless or lack transportation.   

“Our goal is to provide a medical home for our patients who often don’t fit into the traditional health care model,” said Clinic Manager Justin Gassel.  

In September 2024, services expanded to include Medicaid patients. The clinic currently sees an average of 210 patients per month. 

A successful training site and collaborative network

Dr. Mark Smith (at the podium) delivers his remarks.
Dr. Mark Smith (at the podium) delivers his remarks.

Staffed by providers from Missouri State and Mercy, the clinic also serves as a training site for students in the university’s physician assistant, pharmacy, dietetics and nursing programs. 

In addition to primary care services, the clinic provides essential resources, including hygiene kits, groceries and winter clothing. These items are made possible through organizations like Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Convoy of Hope, Mercy Health Foundation and Ozarks Food Harvest. 

“Hosting the MSU Care Clinic is an honor that exemplifies Missouri State’s public affairs mission in action,” said Dr. Mark Smith, dean of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services. 

“This clinic gives our students invaluable hands-on experience while equipping them with the knowledge and skills to serve others as future health care professionals. At the same time, our community’s neediest members benefit from quality, accessible care, demonstrating that lasting impact happens when education, compassion and community partnerships work hand in hand.” 

Check out the MSU Care Clinic

MSU Care Clinic expands coverage

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Three years ago, the MSU Care Clinic saw an average of 330 patients a month. Today, that number is closer to 85. Beginning Sept. 3, the clinic will make a change that will restore its ability to care for as many underserved patients as possible.

The steep drop in patients is the result of Missouri’s expansion of Medicaid.

“We saw that expansion happen during the pandemic, and it gave greater access to Medicaid to those who needed it most,” said Justin Gassel, MSU Care Clinic manager. “But it also meant our clinic suddenly couldn’t accept a large number of patients we were previously caring for.”

About the clinic

The MSU Care Clinic is a collaboration between Mercy Hospital Springfield and Missouri State University. It opened inside the O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center on the MSU campus in 2015 to provide free health services and medication to underserved and uninsured patients.

“The MSU Care Clinic epitomizes the very essence of the university’s public affairs mission,” said Dr. Mark Smith, dean of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services at Missouri State.

“The clinic provides a valuable service to the community while simultaneously serving as an educational center for the upcoming health care workforce of the future. MSU faculty and staff are excited about the expansion of the clinic and, in collaboration with Mercy, are dedicated to serving and providing patients quality and affordable medical care.”

Committed to serving more patients

Historically, to qualify for care, patients must be between 18-64 years old, have no health insurance, be ineligible for Medicaid and have a household income equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty line. Starting Sept. 3, the clinic will eliminate the Medicaid ineligibility requirement to expand access to care to more members of the community.

“We serve a very targeted patient population,” Gassel said. “The Medicaid expansion was immensely helpful to patients across the state, but it meant that most of the patients we had built relationships with and who trusted us with their care could no longer continue seeing us. This will restore our ability to care for some of our community’s most underserved patients for whom there are limited options for care.”

Gassel added one of the goals of the clinic is to provide a medical home for uninsured patients whose lack of access to primary care often results in emergency room visits.

“That is not the best place for patients who simply need help managing routine care like diabetes and blood pressure. That’s where we come in. Our team works to get them set up with a medical home here at the clinic.”

Primary care makes up the bulk of the focus at MSU Care Clinic, but other health care services are also available, including simple procedures, vaccines, pharmacy counseling, nutritional guidance, lab work, EKGs and more. The clinic expects an increase in patients now that it can accept Medicaid patients, those ineligible to enroll in Medicaid and anyone else who meets the clinic’s eligibility requirements.

“Our mission is to provide a medical home for some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” Gassel said. “This expansion allows us to do exactly that.”

Explore the MSU Care Clinic

Advocating for communal health

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Every year, the Missouri State University (MSU) Care Clinic and Mercy come together to serve underprivileged individuals in the Springfield community. The two partner to provide comprehensive health care to those who are uninsured.  

The Care Clinic serves as a lifeline for individuals whose income falls below 200% of the federal poverty line. They offer free primary care, lab services, medications and even a clothing bank and nonperishable food items. 

Art that makes an impact 

Recently, MSU and Mercy collaborated with renowned photographer Randy Bacon to create the Renewed Hope Exhibition, an inspiring collection of 12 powerful stories and portraits. These narratives highlight the transformative journey of patients who have found solace, care and a path toward stability through the clinic’s valuable services.  

“The exhibition aimed to resonate with the broader community, shedding light on the impactful role of health care in individuals’ lives,” said Justin Gassel, MSU Care Clinic practice manager. 

The exhibition’s culmination held in the O’Reilly Health and Science Center on Oct. 24 witnessed a celebration of these meaningful narratives. Patients, community partners and leadership from MSU and Mercy convened to appreciate the collective display of these stories.  

It wasn’t just an exhibition; it was a moment of profound recognition for the patients who courageously shared their stories, creating a space for empathy, understanding and appreciation within the community. 

Nurturing holistic well-being and community  

Beyond addressing medical needs, the clinic embodies a holistic approach, acknowledging the socioeconomic challenges individuals face.  

The stories display the profound impact of genuinely invested health care. By combining medical care with efforts to address basic needs like nutrition, shelter and overall well-being, the clinic fosters a path toward lasting change for its patients.  

“The exhibition’s core mission is to dismantle preconceived notions about health care and share the transformative power of authentic care,” Gassel said. 

As these stories resonate with readers and visitors, they encourage the community to support those in need.  

Learn more about MSU Care