Scopes for Hope benefits free clinic

The national health care crises has been front page news in recent months and our Eastern Jackson County communities are far from immune to the real challenges that face families and children who struggle to access adequate care for chronic health issues.
Since 2000, the Jackson County Free Health Clinic, an initiative of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, has been providing free medical services to uninsured adults of Jackson County, allowing them to live healthy, productive lives.
Focused on the diagnosis and management of chronic illnesses, the clinic is open by appointment on Tuesday evenings and the fourth Friday of each month. Originally housed in the Independence Health Department the clinic quickly outgrew the allotted space and took up residency in the Independence Regional Hospital campus.
Just over a year ago Centerpoint Medical Center offered rent-free space to the clinic in a former medical building behind the former Medical Center of Independence. With a large reception area, multiple examination rooms and dispensary services, the donated space is a sufficient facility to treat the nearly 500 individuals who seek services each month.
Managed and operated by Dr. Bridget McCandless, the Jackson County Free Health Clinic employees just two staff members while depending on its active and diverse Board of Directors and 100 volunteers to keep the doors open to the hundreds of people who depend on its services for their primary care.
Several local medical doctors and other medical professionals donate services to provide patients with family and internal medicine services, eye exams, vaccinations and medications for chronic disease management. The clinic also supplies support and educational services such as smoking cessation and diabetes support groups. The clinic does not provide acute care visits, routine physicals, gynecological care or pediatric care.
Since its inception the clinic has seen a demand for services steadily increase. As unemployment has risen and health benefits for the employed are being decreased, the number of uninsured people has seen a meteoric rise. According to McCandless, data shows that 16 percent of children living in Independence currently have no health insurance. 
While the Jackson County Free Health Clinic does not provide comprehensive mental health services, McCandless also notes that an increasing number of patrons exhibit signs of psychiatric conditions in addition to chronic physical illness. “Being poor is stressful,” observes McCandless, acknowledging that many of her patients are dealing with depression and anxiety.
Through partnerships with pharmaceutical companies the free health clinic receives donations of prescription drugs to partially stock its dispensary. Additional funds are found through constantly pursuing grants and donations to keep needed medicines on hand and underwrite operating expenses.
On Nov. 6 the Jackson County Free Health Clinic will host its inaugural fundraising gala to generate the necessary funding to keep the facility open and available to those for whom it is a critical need. Billed as the “Scopes for Hope” the dinner and auction will display the secret talents of the local medical community with doctors from across Eastern Jackson County providing the evening’s entertainment.
Chaired by the insuppressible Carol Sue Bass, the first-year event is generating buzz around town with its poignant and timely mission and a committee that includes some of the region’s most experienced and well-known community philanthropists. Included in that group are honorary chairs Dr. and Mrs. Don and Barbara Potts.
Hosted at the Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel the event will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception followed by dinner and entertainment. Individual tickets are priced at $100 with sponsorship opportunities beginning at $300. Reservations and donations may be made online at www.jcfhc.org or by calling 816-404-6455.
Dress for the event is business casual or “creative medical” attire!