A University of Scranton-affiliated clinic that provides health care to uninsured people began doubling hours available to see patients this week.
The Edward R. Leahy Jr. Clinic for the Uninsured now sees patients who schedule appointments on Tuesdays from noon until 4 p.m. Until now, the clinic opened only on Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m. to see walk-in patients.
Officials with the clinic and university say the community needs have increased since the clinic opened in 2008. Debra A. Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of the university's Panuska College of Professional Studies, which includes the Leahy Clinic, said helping those in need fits into the university's Jesuit tradition.
"We believe in giving back, especially to the underserved," Dr. Pellegrino said.
With estimates of more than 12 percent of Lackawanna County residents without insurance, the need for health care services for the uninsured seems like a constant in the area. U.S. census data show Lackawanna County had an estimated 21,480 people without insurance in 2010, the most recent year available.
The downtown clinic, at 240 Kessler Court, will open on Tuesdays until Oct. 2, resume from Oct. 30 through Nov. 13 and again Nov. 27.
Dr. Pellegrino said this semester will serve as a test to see if resources exist to make it a long-term change. She said enough physicians have agreed to volunteer their time to cover the additional day of serving patients.
Efforts to reach the clinic's director, Andrea Mantione, who is on vacation this week, were not successful.
Many students volunteer to assist at the clinic, from undergraduate nursing students to graduate physical therapy students.
Along with the university, the clinic receives support from the state, churches, private and public organizations and individuals.
Appointments can be made at the clinic by calling 941-6112.
Contact the writer: rward@timesshamrock.com, @rwardTT on Twitter