4 minute read
CARE FOR ALL
C A R E FOR ALL
Tri City Health Partnership provides and health care to those who need free it dental
By Kelley White | Photos provided by Tri City Health Partnership
Medical and dental care can cause hardship in the lives of many community members, regardless of circumstance. Individuals can be forced to make tough decisions regarding their health care or dentistry, choosing to forgo necessary and routine care to avoid the burden of its cost. With Tri City Health Partnership, individuals in need can be assured of quality health and dental care, giving them the opportunity to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Tri City was created with the purpose of providing free health care to residents of Lazarus House and, additionally, to ensure treatment for others who couldn’t afford alternative options. “The founder, Dr. Patrick Gannon, was working at a clinic in Elgin that had the same model a little more than 20 years ago,” says Kim Lamansky, executive director. “When they shut their doors, Dr. Gannon realized that this model was still (necessary) within the community.” Twenty years later, Tri City is still providing lab work, exams and medications, free of charge. Furthermore, after little more than a decade, Tri City added dentistry to its services, increasing its comprehensiveness of care. Tri City doesn’t just serve low-income residents; many working-class people walk through the doors of the Partnership, receiving the kind of care that higher insurance premiums have prevented them from using in the past. “There are a lot of people within the community that don’t have access to care and there are many people that can’t get Medicaid because they make too much money,” explains Lamansky, adding, “Sixty-four percent of our patients work, and at the clinic last year, we had about 3,000 visits — a number we will meet or exceed this year.” Lamansky often sees patients working in the service industry, among other vitally important roles within the community. “A lot of people don’t realize they do qualify,” she says. “For example, we bump up the federal poverty level cutoff to 250% for people living in this area. It is that middle-of-the-road gap of income where so many people benefit from these services.” Volunteerism takes center stage at Tri City Partnership, serving as the lifeblood to this important organization. “We have a small staff at about eight people here,” says Lamansky. “We have about 160-170 volunteers and while the bulk of the medical and dental volunteers come to the clinic and treat for free, we have another select group that will take patients at their office on a referral basis.” Lamansky emphasizes the significance of Tri City’s doctors, nurses and dentists. “There’s no way we could complete our services without these volunteers, they are incredibly giving of their time and energy,” she says. “They are able to treat based on what the patient needs and they’re able to get back to why they got into their practice in the first place. They leave here feeling as if they have truly impacted lives.” Tri City Health Partnership continues to be a successful pillar of charitable works and health and dental services within central Kane County. The organization celebrated 20 years in business this past summer, recently added a second building to their organization and anticipating a steady increase in patients for years to come. Visit the organization’s website to learn more about how you can contribute, or contact Tri City Health Partnership to see how you can benefit from their comprehensive and quality care.
We WeWeGive You A Reason SMILE Give You A Reason SMILE Give You A Reason SMILE To ToTo
SERVICES SERVICESSERVICES
Preventive Hygiene General Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry Children's Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Same Day Dentistry
Preventive Hygiene General Dentistry Emergencies Cosmetic Dentistry Teeth Whitening Invisalign
Preventive Hygiene Emergencies General Dentistry Teeth Whitening Cosmetic Dentistry Invisalign
Emergencies Teeth Whitening Invisalign
Providing Quality Dental Care to families in the Fox Valley Providing Quality Dental Care to families in the Fox Valley Since 1969 Providing Quality Dental Care to families in the Fox Valley Since 1969
