Center for Excellence in Rural Health-Hazard

Federal Grant Aimed at Extending UK Clinic’s Health Care Services

HINDMAN, Ky. (March 10, 2009) − The University of Kentucky June Buchanan Medical Clinic has received a two−year federal grant to extend health care services to more low-income, uninsured residents of Knott County.

The $650,000 annual health center grant, announced last week by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, will enable the clinic to provide medical, pharmacy, oral and behavioral health care services, including prenatal care. The clinic, which is located at Route 550, 59 Cowtown Road in Hindman, will employ five direct care providers and 11 support staff.

"This grant gives us the ability to offer quality health care to more people in the Hindman area," said Dr. Baretta R. Casey, director of the UK Center for Excellence in Rural Health-Hazard. "Our goal is to provide additional health care services needed by our patients."

Community health centers are required to deliver preventive and primary care services to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Charges for health care services are set according to income, as almost 40 percent of the patients treated at health centers have no insurance coverage.

The UK June Buchanan Medical Clinic offers a sliding fee scale for patients whose incomes are at or below the federal poverty level. This grant will allow the clinic to expand its sliding fee scale to patients who fall within 200 percent of the poverty level.

The UK June Buchanan Medical Clinic’s primary care services include preventive medicine, sports physicals, women’s health and maternity care, pediatric and geriatric care, and immunizations. The clinic also provides dental care, operates an on−site pharmacy and soon will add on−site behavioral health services.

"These are exciting times in the history of our clinic," said Dr. Kenneth Slone, who has treated patients at the clinic for the past 21 years and currently serves as its medical site director. "It has always been my intention to provide the best possible comprehensive health care for our community. This grant will go a long way toward enabling us to meet this goal."

The UK June Buchanan Medical Clinic is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, you may call (606) 785−3175.