‘God’s work.’ PA Sen. Casey visits Centre Volunteers in Medicine’s new home
Senator Bob Casey, D-PA, stopped in Centre County on Tuesday to tour the expanded Centre Volunteers in Medicine clinic, which is still under construction, and talk about the federal funding he was able to secure for the project.
Dental, medical, case management and medication assistance will continue to be provided at the new and expanded location on Sandy Drive, but at a higher level and quality, Casey said.
“The work that gets done here is God’s work. The most important work that I can imagine where people are served — people that have no access to health care or have limited access, or might have access but not the quality of care that they’re going to receive in a place like this,” Casey said.
Casey said he was able to secure $1,125,000 in federal funding from the fiscal year 2022 for CVIM. The nonprofit previously set a goal and capital campaign to raise $10 million for the new building and its renovations.
“I know it doesn’t cover everything but it’s first and foremost an investment. An investment in quality care Centre County, an investment in the families of this community, and by extension, the businesses and the economic dynamism and growth of this county. And the people of this county deserve this kind of investment,” Casey said.
Heddy Kervandjian, chair of the CVIM board of directors, said in the new building, they’ll be able to serve their existing patients and have enough room to help the estimated 12,000 others who are without health care. Without the efforts of Casey and Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard, she said the building would not have been possible.
“The health and welfare of our fellow citizens impact all of us. The mission of any ideal society is for its residents to have access to quality care. Here women can get yearly exams, patients can get assistance with hearing aids and glasses, children can have their teeth cleaned, people can see a therapist, citizens can get their smiles back when they wear their new, more affordable dentures,” Kervandjian said.
Hundreds of volunteers, citizens, doctors, nurses and health care providers work together to make it all happen, she said.
“Our annual programs rely entirely on financial support from the community and there’s a great deal of need for more services. So while building will be completed in a few months and we will celebrate the opening of this beautiful facility, the work of funding the programs will continue,” Kervandjian said.
CVIM hopes to have its new building open by late spring.
Dr. Barry Stein, an oral surgeon at CVIM, said to maintain the level of excellence they’ve achieved, they’ll continue to need donations and volunteers. He said they’re fortunate to live in a supportive community and are “humbled” by the generosity of their donors and volunteers.
“Little by little, we are making a big difference in providing services for patients in need. I asked myself, if not us, then who? Getting patients out of pain, treating dental infections, extracting a tooth, filling a deep cavity or providing dentures to give someone their smile back is some of the services we offer. We must continue to build on our success, offering our services to more and more people to help bring down a large waiting list,” he said.
CVIM is the only free clinic in Centre County and provides medical, dental, behavioral health, case management and prescription services to low-income and uninsured individuals. A new building was purchased in October 2021 at 2026 Sandy Drive, State College, for $2.35 million. But renovations were needed to give CVIM 11,000 square feet of exam and office space in an energy efficient building with up-to-date technology.
