Meritus breast health clinic helps those without insurance

Program has evolved over more than a decade. 

Meritus Health has been offering breast health care for more than a decade for those who can’t afford it.

It started with a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation for mammograms for patients without insurance, though these days the mammograms are funded through the Meritus Health Foundation.

And when it started, the clinic was quarterly and served four patients aged 40 and older at each session.

It grew to monthly this summer and treats up to six patients. It also expanded to include uninsured women 18 to 40 years old who are complaining of a specific breast problem.

The program relies on doctors in the Meritus Family Medicine Residency Program operating out of Suite 200 in the Robinwood Professional Center.

In keeping with Meritus’ “community obsessed” philosophy, social workers use the clinic as a chance to connect patients with other health and social services, said Helen Harrington, D.O., family medicine residency associate program director.

“Breast health is an easy thing to underdiagnose,” said Dr. Harrington, who has overseen the clinic for three years. “And every touchpoint with health care, from a clinic visit to a follow-up phone call, improves patient outcomes.”

Jennifer Miller, Meritus language services advocate and a Spanish interpreter who has worked with the clinic for about five years, said the program serves many Spanish-speaking women.

“It’s such an important program because there a lot of people who don’t have insurance in that community,” Miller said. “We have detected cancer early in some women over the years and been able to get them help.”

To learn more about the breast health clinic or to schedule an appointment, call 301-714-4400.