History

MedServe was started in 2006 as a committee under Project Professionalism by a group of OSU medical students dedicated to improving healthcare access for medically underserved communities. We have been partnering with Lower Lights Christian Health Center, which provides low-cost healthcare to uninsured and underinsured patients. We currently have several ongoing projects aimed to help the health center succeed and to improve healthcare and education in the community of Franklinton.

Franklinton
Franklinton is located just west of downtown Columbus and is actually the oldest community in Central Ohio. Referred to as “the Bottoms” because of the area’s low-lying land, Franklinton was ideal for farming, but devastating floods before the completion of floodwalls in 2003 caused many businesses and buildings to be abandoned. Federal regulations regarding designed floodplains also stalled rehabilitation of residential areas, leading to deteriorating housing conditions. The community is recovering but is still one of the most underdeveloped areas of Columbus. According to the 2000 Census, the median household income of Franklinton residents is $17,682, compared to the Columbus median of $37,897. 45% of households with children are below the poverty level. 45.2% of the population over 25 years of age does not have a high school diploma, with 12.7% never having entered high school.

There is much reason for hope, however. Between 1990 and 2000, the median income in Franklinton has risen 61.9%, surpassing Columbus’s income growth of 42.2%. Since the building of the floodwalls and the subsequent removal of floodplain restrictions, businesses and residences are improving. The Columbus Department of Development approved a plan in 2003 to revitalize the community with specific goals to renovate buildings, restore historic sites, and improve housing.

Lower Lights Christian Health Center
Despite community improvements, there is still little access to primary care offices in the area, and most residents are without adequate insurance. Our community partner, Lower Lights Christian Health Center, was established in 2002 to address these issues. The health center is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization and operates through federal and private grants and individual donations. Last year, they provided over $350,000 in unreimbursed care to their uninsured and underinsured patients, which is about 72% of their patient population.

MedServe's Programs
In order to curb administrative costs for the health center, MedServe operates a program enlisting medical students to file patient charts, organize incoming faxes and mail, and generally help the staff so they have more time for patient care. Another student-run program helps qualified patients apply for low-cost or free prescription medication. Starting last year, we have partnered with Xenos Free Clinic to help provide emergent care to the needed in Franklinton who are unable to be seen right away at Lower Lights Health Center.

Additionally, in order to address some of the educational disparities in the community, we have a weekly kids program at the Lower Lights Church that teaches neighborhood children reading, problem solving, and about healthy lifestyles. Many of these children live with foster parents or grandparents and have unstable home environments. Thus, our program also aims to provide some positive role models in a fun, relaxing environment.

Outside of these regular programs, we have quarterly service days at the health center. The projects range from painting the walls to planting flowers to filing backlogged patient charts. We also organize an annual winter coat collection and host talks at the medical school.