In partnership with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Charitable Healthcare Network (CHN) is proud to name Melanie Loftus, PharmD, R.Ph, as the 2024 Free Clinic Pharmacist of the Year. Loftus serves as the Pharmacy Director at the Hope Clinic of Ross County, where her leadership, passion and dedication have transformed lives and expanded access to care for underserved populations across 14 counties in Ohio.
“Melanie’s tireless efforts and visionary leadership have been the cornerstone of our pharmacy’s success. Her impact resonates through every prescription filled and every patient served,” reads the nomination for this award.
Loftus’ journey toward establishing the Hope Clinic Charitable Pharmacy began during graduate school when a rotation at St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy inspired her dream of opening a charitable pharmacy of her own. “I was so impressed with the number of people they were able to help; I knew I wanted to do that someday,” Loftus shared.
In 2018, while working as a pharmacist at Sam’s Club in Chillicothe, Loftus began volunteering at the Hope Clinic. Her role at Sam’s Club provided the flexibility to pursue her vision, and with support from Walmart—who funded her degree in nonprofit management—she presented her idea to the Hope Clinic’s Board of Directors. Her dream became a reality in November 2021 with the opening of the Hope Clinic Charitable Pharmacy.
What began with 52 prescriptions filled in its first month has grown to 700–900 prescriptions monthly, serving patients across 14 counties. In 2024, the pharmacy expanded significantly, filling nearly 50% more prescriptions and serving nearly 50% more patients than the previous year. Under Loftus’ careful planning and resourceful leadership, the pharmacy has undergone critical expansions to meet the growing needs of its community.
The Hope Clinic of Ross County provides free medical, dental, vision and pharmaceutical services, as well as spiritual care and access to social service programs. Located in Chillicothe, the clinic is a lifeline for individuals without access to traditional healthcare services. For more information about the Hope Clinic of Ross County, visit hopeclinicfree.org.
As part of Free Clinic Appreciation Month (FCAM), the Charitable Healthcare Network and the Ohio Department of Health recognize the accomplishments of Ohio's free clinics through annual Free Clinic Award presentations. FCAM was established in 2013 by the Ohio Legislature through H.B. 320 to honor and raise awareness about the vital role free clinics play in delivering essential healthcare to Ohio’s most vulnerable populations.
This year’s award recipients will be celebrated at the 2025 Charitable Healthcare Network Safety-Net Symposium, held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Columbus. This annual event brings together healthcare leaders, policymakers, and community partners to recognize the impact of free and charitable clinics in strengthening Ohio’s healthcare safety net, fostering equity, and delivering high-quality care to underserved populations.
More information about FCAM, CHN and the upcoming symposium can be found at charitablehealthcarenetwork.org.
