Mason and Partners Clinic

Northern Virgina Magazine: Katrina King of the Empowered Communities Opioid Project quoted about how schools are fighting fentanyl

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 19:40:07 +0000

Northern Virgina Magazine: Katrina King of the Empowered Communities Opioid Project quoted about how schools are fighting fentanyl Mary Cunningham Fri, 10/27/2023 - 15:40

Fighting Fentanyl: What NoVA Schools Are Doing

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Mason and Partner Clinics see 189% increase in appointments since 2018 and delivered $3.8 million in free services to the community

mthomp7 — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 13:14:41 +0000

Mason and Partner Clinics see 189% increase in appointments since 2018 and delivered $3.8 million in free services to the community mthomp7 Wed, 10/04/2023 - 09:14

Rebcca Sutter discusses the opioid services offered at the MAP Clinics with Representative Jennifer Wexton.

Empowered Communities Opioid Partnership extends Mason’s efforts to reduce overdoses for those involved in the criminal justice system

Rebecca Sutter, professor in the School of Nursing and director of the Mason and Partner Clinics also oversees the Empowered Communities Opioid Partnership (ECOP) – a $2.8 million initiative serving five local health districts (Prince William, Chesterfield, Crater, Portsmouth, and Norfolk) with the goal of reducing opioid-related overdose deaths, non-fatal overdoses, and adverse health consequences among those newly released from jail or prison.

“The chance of overdose or relapsing can be up to 129% higher in the two weeks after release, so we are committed to working with partners in the criminal justice and community-based systems of care to connect high-risk individuals quickly and with low barriers to the care they need,” said Sutter. ECOP has screened more than 950 patients to date and is looking at opening a dedicated Center in early 2024.

In This Story

Rebecca Sutter, DNP, APRN, BC-FNP

Mason and Partner Clinics see 189% increase in appointments since 2018 and delivered $3.8 million in free services to the community

Economic downturn and reductions in Medicaid coverage drive demand for free wellness, preventative, and COVID-related services.

For the past five years, the Mason and Partner (MAP) Clinics have filled an important gap in community health services. In close partnership with area health districts and other service providers, the MAP Clinics have responded to community need with increased accessibility, expanded services, and unwavering support.

During the COVID-19 pandemic alone, the nine MAP Clinics delivered more than 58,220 vaccines and 6,650 COVID tests – providing more than $3,800,000 in free services to the community. The pandemic not only increased demand for health care – it raised awareness about the valuable services offered by the MAP Clinics.

MAP Clinic faculty and staff built deep trust and relationships within the communities they serve – which created a natural place to seek care when economic challenges and/or Medicaid reductions adversely affected vulnerable populations. In addition, the MAP Clinics placed a greater emphasis on preventive care and education post-pandemic to help patients manage their health conditions before they become severe.

“To best meet the needs of the community, the MAP Clinics continually seek new collaborations and partnerships with grassroot community organizations and government agencies. With the deepening opioid crisis, we’ve expanded access for those suffering from this horrible disease through expansion of our Medication for Opioid Use clinics and have expanded our network of peer-recovery support specialists to further assist those struggling with addiction,” says Rebecca Sutter, professor in the School of Nursing and director of the Mason and Partner Clinics.

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Virginia Elected Officials Praise George Mason University’s Mason and Partners Clinic Located in Prince William Shelter

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:16:31 +0000

Virginia Elected Officials Praise George Mason University’s Mason and Partners Clinic Located in Prince William Shelter Mary Cunningham Wed, 08/31/2022 - 10:16

National, state, and county leaders learned about the Mason and Partner Clinics, which prepare students to serve vulnerable populations and increase access to care for marginalized communities.

Community partnerships and community-based care play an integral role in addressing the growing shortage of health care workers and the increasing demand for low-cost or free care among vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth of Virginia. At a shelter for unhoused individuals in Woodbridge, Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinic staff work alongside the Department of Social Services and the Prince William County Health Department to deliver care and educate students.

On Thursday, August 24 a delegation of state and local leaders visited the Mason and Partners Clinics to discuss how the MAP Clinics’ network of 10 clinics in Fairfax and Prince William counties helps serve underrepresented communities.

The delegation included: U.S. Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA - 7^th District), Senator Jeremy McPike (VA - 29^th District); Delegate Elizabeth Guzman (VA - 31^st District), and Woodbridge District Supervisor, Margaret Franklin.

"The MAP Clinics are important partners in the communities we serve. The unique bridge-care model and co-location in places such as shelters address community gaps in service,” said Cheryl Oetjen, Interim Director of George Mason’s School of Nursing. The MAP Clinics are offered by the George Mason University College of Health and Human Services and School of Nursing.

“We provide care for vulnerable populations here in the community – delivering services – such as treating acute and chronic conditions and monthly preventative health screenings –that they might not otherwise receive. In addition, students’ clinical opportunities at the MAP Clinics prepare the next generation of nurses, social workers, informaticists, and nutritionists to work with marginalized populations. This reduces the stigma and increases the likelihood of students caring for vulnerable populations throughout their careers," said Rebecca Sutter, Professor and Director of the MAP Clinics explained.

MAP Clinic staff discussed the importance of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants to fund on-going curriculum development and training so Mason students are prepared to serve marginalized communities. MAP Clinics play a critical role in increasing access to care and linking clients to community systems of support for ongoing care, and helping patients navigate the health care system.

The delegation also examined the robust telehealth capabilities that the MAP Clinic expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. The MAP Clinic shelter site has had 428 telehealth visits over the past year providing acute and chronic disease education and management including access to needed medications. Federal funding for telehealth has grown since 2020 to meet growing demand for access.

“The new and emerging technology implemented at the MAP Clinic was as exciting as it was innovative. In the U.S. House of Representatives, I am committed to caring for underserved Virginians,” said Congresswoman Spanberger. Spanberger, a strong advocate for funding mental and behavioral health services for the most vulnerable, voted for the American Rescue Plan and authored the bipartisan Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act, which recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"We met with undergraduate and graduate students [at the MAP Clinic] who have hands-on experience while pursuing their degrees. I believe this is a win-win for them, but also for our most vulnerable residents while we have a shortage of healthcare professionals in our area. Everyone deserves access to health care and the MAP Clinic is helping all vulnerable residents. Thank you for all that you do," said Delegate Guzman. Guzman expressed her on-going commitment to helping find a permanent location and on-going funding for the MAP Clinic to help more individuals in need.

“The MAP Clinics’ impact reinforces the role of partnerships in serving the region and meeting the changing needs of the health workforce. The College continues to recruit, train, and graduate faculty and students who are committed to health equity and increased access to care,” said Dean Melissa Perry.

Since starting the shelter-based clinic in Woodbridge, the MAP Clinic has seen an increase in the number of clients who advocate for themselves, utilize Clinic services, and request appointments. There has been a 40% increase in MAP Clinic service utilization from 2021 to 2022. Over the last two years, the Clinic has provided care for 543 patients and have documented a 69% reduction in emergency room visits for shelter clients.

College of Health and Human Services faculty and staff present at the meeting included:

Melissa Perry, Dean, College of Health and Human Services
Cheryl Oetjen, Interim Director of the School of Nursing
Rebecca Sutter, Professor and Director of the MAP Clinics
Mary Righi, Operations Coordinator
Samba Pathak, Operations Support
Shanti Chang, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Jennifer McKee, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) MAP Clinic Graduate Research Assistant, Shelter lead
Grace Stover, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) MAP Clinic Graduate Research Assistant, Shelter lead
Brian Longo, Bachelor of Science, Nursing and Community Health student

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Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans, has committed $175,000 to advance George Mason University’s community health initiatives.

mthomp7 — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 19:31:58 +0000

Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans, has committed $175,000 to advance George Mason University’s community health initiatives. mthomp7 Wed, 06/02/2021 - 15:31

Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans, has committed $175,000 to advance George Mason University’s community health initiatives.

The grant, jointly supporting the Mason and Partners Clinics (MAP Clinics) and the Business for a Better World Center, will enable Mason to serve as the lead anchor partner in a collaborative initiative to remove barriers to health and expand access for residents in the Bailey’s Crossroads/Culmore neighborhood of Fairfax County.

The grant extends Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Mason, which began in 2019 with a $500,000 investment to establish the Kaiser Permanente Community Wellness Hub in partnership with Mason’s College of Health and Human Services Population Health Center.

“Kaiser Permanente is honored to expand our partnership with George Mason University, an organization that shares our mission for improving the health of the communities we serve,” said Tonga Turner, interim executive director of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente. “Collaboration with organizations like Mason is critical to transform Northern Virginia communities such as Bailey’s Crossroads and Culmore into places where residents have equitable access to high-quality health care, nutritious food, good jobs and thriving schools.”

MAP clinics serve the uninsured and refugee community in Prince William and Fairfax counties. Located in Manassas, Springfield, and Culmore, these bridge-care model clinics provide free health care, school physicals, screenings, and mental health services for people living in low-income and medically underserved areas.

“We are excited about our continued collaboration with Kaiser Permanente in the delivery of care with attention to the social determinants of health on behalf of vulnerable populations to ensure health equity,” added Dr. Germaine Louis, dean of the College of Health and Human Services.

The grant establishes Mason as the lead partner organization in Northern Virginia for Kaiser Permanente’s Mid-Atlantic Community Network (MACN), launched in partnership with Unite Us, a shared technology platform available to community organizations to serve social health needs ranging from food access and housing assistance to workforce development and healthcare services. The MACN has launched in D.C., suburban Maryland and Greater Baltimore, and is scheduled to launch in Northern Virginia this June.

Since 2018, Kaiser Permanente has led a community-based initiative to address health disparities in the Bailey’s/Culmore community and create access to the resources people need to thrive. Local community organizations involved in the initiative include Columbia Baptist Church, the Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation, Culmore Clinic, St. Anthony’s Parish, Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center and Just Neighbors, along with county leadership, local businesses and philanthropic organizations. Accomplishments have included partnering with local food pantries to deliver hundreds of pounds of food to those in-need and connecting more than 200 Bailey’s/Culmore residents with low or no-cost medical care.

Those community-based efforts will also benefit from a partnership with Mason’s Business for a Better World Center, which focuses on preparing tomorrow’s business leaders to further the common good.

“Even more than other businesses, the business of health needs to focus on the well-being of our community,” said Maury Peiperl, dean of Mason’s School of Business. “This is an opportunity to activate our substantial industry network to fuel economic development and entrepreneurship in the region. Kaiser Permanente is known as a leader for moving health forward, and partnering on this initiative is another way we are using business as a force for good.”

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, about 240,000 people in Northern Virginia were underinsured or lacked health insurance, and 160,000 lived in poverty. The pandemic has increased levels of unemployment, as well as housing and food insecurity across the region. Unemployment spiked in Fairfax County by more than 5% over the past year, and the number of county residents seeking emergency food assistance doubled.

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Prince William Times: Mason and Partners Clinic to hold no-appointment needed coronavirus vaccine clinic. Michelle Thompson quoted.

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 18:50:08 +0000

Prince William Times: Mason and Partners Clinic to hold no-appointment needed coronavirus vaccine clinic. Michelle Thompson quoted. Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/17/2021 - 14:50

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Michelle L. Thompson, MBA

Manassas Park clinic to hold walk-up, no appointment COVID-19 vaccine clinic for eligible seniors, frontline workers

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Mason and Partner Clinics Extend Free COVID-19 Testing For Uninsured and Low-Income Populations

mthomp7 — Tue, 19 May 2020 19:34:46 +0000

Mason and Partner Clinics Extend Free COVID-19 Testing For Uninsured and Low-Income Populations mthomp7 Tue, 05/19/2020 - 15:34

Bridget Jennison and Dr. Rebecca Sutter administer COVID-19 tests outside the Manassas Park MAP Clinic.
Photo Credit: Delia Engstrom, Prince William Times

Mason and Partner Clinics recently received much needed supplies from the Virginia Department of Health to provide free COVID-19 testing.

The MAP Clinics in Manassas Park sees patients two days a week for COVID-19 screening, diagnostic testing and education. These tests can now be delivered for free based on support from the Virginia Department of Health to provide testing for our communities.

The MAP Clinics previously had limited access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and sampling/testing kits and have been able to significantly expand the number of tests administered thanks to the additional supplies and testing kits provided by the Commonwealth. On a typical day, the MAP Clinic can now test nearly 40 patients in a 2.5-hour time frame. “With our increased capacity for testing, we can now reach the most vulnerable and marginalized communities in our region with testing for COVID-19,” says Dr. Rebecca Sutter, co-director of the MAP Clinics and faculty at George Mason University.

The MAP Clinics were cited as a positive example of how free clinics are helping fight COVID-19 in the Governor’s May 15 Press Conference.

In his recent press conference, Virginia Governor, Ralph Northam, cited the work of the Mason and Partner Clinics and other free clinics in the state for their response to fighting COVID-19 among uninsured and low-income residents of the Commonwealth.

The MAP Clinics have expanded services for vulnerable populations through an extensive telehealth initiative that reaches homeless populations, rural residents of the state, others who may otherwise not receive access to care.

The MAP Clinics were also recently featured in the Prince William Times for their work with vulnerable populations in that county.

Prince William Times: Dr. Becki Sutter discusses COVID-19 testing at MAP Clinics.

mthomp7 — Sun, 17 May 2020 19:48:26 +0000

Prince William Times: Dr. Becki Sutter discusses COVID-19 testing at MAP Clinics. mthomp7 Sun, 05/17/2020 - 15:48

Manassas Park clinic sees high demand for free COVID-19 tests.

Inside NoVA: Announces $25,000 Mason Foundation Grant for COVID-19 Response

mthomp7 — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 22:18:49 +0000

Inside NoVA: Announces $25,000 Mason Foundation Grant for COVID-19 Response mthomp7 Tue, 04/28/2020 - 18:18

Community Foundation awards another $715,000 in COVID-19 response grants

Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Awards $25,000 to George Mason University Foundation for COVID-19 Response

mthomp7 — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 20:39:22 +0000

Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Awards $25,000 to George Mason University Foundation for COVID-19 Response mthomp7 Tue, 04/28/2020 - 16:39

Mason College of Health and Human Services Receives Grant to Support Underserved and Uninsured Populations

Many in the region have been adversely affected by the harsh economic and social consequences of COVID-19. As a result, there has been an increase in those seeking support such as health care and food assistance from their local community.

In response to COVID-19, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) has awarded $715,000 to 35 organizations, including $25,000 to the George Mason University Foundation.

The grant awarded to the George Mason University Foundation will help deliver health care through the Mason and Partners Clinics. The MAP Clinics, a network of 10 clinics run by the College of Health and Human Services, provides free health care in Northern Virginia including crucial COVID-19 screening and treatment. The grant will help support the move to point of care (POC) COVID-19 testing that will deliver results to patients and health care providers within 45 minutes. Improved testing will help decrease the spread of the disease through early detection and prevention measures. Funds will also be used to provide emergency food supplies for those experiencing food insecurity until they are connected to more permanent community resources, which can take several weeks.

CFNOVA originally planned to provide $350,000 for this third round of grants to nonprofit organizations, but due to larger than expected contributions from the community (including a $1 million donation from Amazon) they were able to more than double the amount awarded. Approximately $1.2 million has now been distributed to non-profits organizations, aiding the citizens of Northern Virginia during this crisis.

Organizations offering health care relief for low-income and underinsured populations were encouraged to apply, as well as groups offering services for those experiencing domestic violence in light of the stay-at-home orders.

-- Written by Nicole Cummings

WSWV Radio Station: Dr. Rebecca Sutter discusses The Health Wagon and virtual retail health clinics at pharmacies and stores.

mthomp7 — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:00:22 +0000

WSWV Radio Station: Dr. Rebecca Sutter discusses The Health Wagon and virtual retail health clinics at pharmacies and stores. mthomp7 Tue, 03/17/2020 - 12:00

Health Wagon Provided with Telehealth Carts