GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Cherry Health is partnering with Catherine's Health Center to expand vision care through a Mobile Vision Clinic this summer.
In a news release, Cherry Health says the mobile clinic will rotate among six Cherry Health locations each week from June 1 through August 27. It will also be stationed at Catherine’s Health Center locations once a month from June through August.
“Vision care is a critical part of overall health,” said Dr. Meagan Baker, director of Cherry Health Vision Services. “The Cherry Health Mobile Vision Clinic helps remove common barriers, such as transportation and cost. Through our collaboration with Catherine’s Health Center, we’re expanding that impact even further, ensuring consistent, reliable access to comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses for everyone in our community.”
Cherry Health’s Mobile Vision Clinic will offer complete dilated eye exams and a wide selection of eyeglass frames. If prescribed, patients can select eyeglass frames during their appointment at the Mobile Vision Clinic and pick them up at their preferred Cherry Health or Catherine’s Health Center location when they’re ready.
“As community health centers, our strength has always been our connection to the people we serve,” said Catherine’s Health Center CEO Megan Erskine. “By working together with Cherry Health, we amplify that impact and ensure that every patient receives the care they deserve.”
Services are available for anyone in the community – not just Cherry Health or Catherine’s Health Center patients. Medicaid and most other insurance plans are accepted. For those without insurance, a sliding fee payment scale based on income and family/household size is available. Interpretation services are also available.
The Cherry Health Mobile Vision Clinic will be at the following Cherry Health locations on the specified days. To schedule an appointment, individuals are encouraged to call the Cherry Health location most convenient for them:
· Mondays: Wyoming Community Health Center, 2929 Burlingame Ave. SW, Wyoming
o Phone: (616) 965-8333
· Tuesdays – alternating locations:
o Starting June 2: Barry Community Health Center, 200 S Boltwood St., Hastings
§ Phone: (269) 945-4220
o Starting June 16: Southside Health Center, 2303 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
§ Phone: (616) 965-8390
o Starting June 23: Westside Health Center, 669 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
§ Phone: (616) 235-1480
· Thursdays – alternating locations:
o Starting June 4: Burton Health Center, 2135 Buchanan Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
§ Phone: (616) 247-3638
o Starting June 11: Cherry Street Health Center, 550 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids
§ Phone: (616) 235-7272
The Cherry Health Mobile Vision Clinic will be at the following Catherine’s Health Center place-based sites, embedded in partner organizations, on the following days. To schedule an appointment, individuals are encouraged to call (616) 336-8800.
· June 9:
o Catherine’s at Crossroads Bible Church in the morning and Catherine’s at Heartside Landings (Dégagé Ministries) in the afternoon
· July 14:
o Catherine’s at Crossroads Bible Church in the morning and Catherine’s at Heartside Landings (Dégagé Ministries) in the afternoon
· Aug 6:
o Catherine’s at Carlton Lofts in the morning and Catherine’s at Matthew’s House in the afternoon
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About Cherry Health
Cherry Health, one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Michigan, is based in Grand Rapids and operates in six counties statewide. With more than 600 health care professionals across 20 locations, Cherry Health’s mission is to provide comprehensive, high-quality health care for all, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The nonprofit integrated health system offers primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy services, and more. For more information, visit CherryHealth.org.
About Catherine’s Health Center
Catherine’s Health Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center, providing access to high quality, affordable and compassionate health care for the West Michigan community. In 1996, they began as a volunteer-run clinic in the Creston neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Since then, Catherine’s has expanded to provide medical, dental, and behavioral health care at several locations around Kent County, including community health centers, school-based health centers, and place-based sites to provide health care to the unhoused. While a lot has changed throughout the years, their commitment to exceptional health care for all has never wavered. Learn more at catherineshc.org.
Cherry Health's mobile vision clinic truck.Photo: From: Seyferth P.R.