In partnership with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Charitable Healthcare Network (CHN) is proud to recognize the Cardinal Health Foundation as the 2024 Community Partner of the Year. This award honors the Foundation’s exceptional commitment to advancing health equity, fostering innovation and addressing barriers to medication access for underserved communities across Ohio.
Through its transformative Equity Rx program, an initiative that helps free and charitable healthcare providers increase medication access to those in need, the Cardinal Health Foundation awarded CHN a $500,000 two-year grant that has enabled CHN to implement a two-fold approach to address medication access challenges.
“Our Equity Rx program is designed to remove systemic barriers to healthcare and ensure patients have access to affordable medications and medical products,” said Jessie Cannon, President of the Cardinal Health Foundation. “Our support of CHN and its network is helping to improve the lives of patients who might otherwise not have access to care.”
First, CHN has provided grants to free clinics, ensuring they have the resources to support patients facing urgent medication crises. These grants enable clinics to bridge immediate gaps in access, delivering critical care to vulnerable populations when they need it most.
At the same time, CHN has partnered with the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy to pilot an innovative care model in three free clinics in southwestern Ohio. This initiative incorporates a pharmacist into the care team, offering patients a collaborative approach to their healthcare. By integrating medication education and reconciliation—services often out of reach for underserved populations—the pilot is transforming how free clinics manage medication access. The first year of this program is already showing promise in improving health outcomes and reducing costs across the broader healthcare system.
“The Cardinal Health Foundation is bringing unprecedented medication access and pharmacy care to our neighbors in need throughout Ohio,” said Rusty Curington, PharmD, Vice President of Pharmacy at St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy. “In partnering with CHN, the Cardinal Health Foundation is fueling change that connects safety-net organizations into a ‘safety-net network’ of free and charitable providers, empowered to improve health equity. Through their Equity Rx initiative, the Cardinal Health Foundation has demonstrated their commitment to Ohio's underserved population as well as Ohio’s community of free and charitable providers.”
The grant has already delivered remarkable outcomes in its first year, including:
- Dispensing over 20,000 prescriptions to more than 3,200 patients at no cost.
- Providing medications valued at $2.59 million, achieving 82% of the program’s two-year goal.
- Preventing healthcare costs estimated at $697,381, surpassing the initial goal of $500,000.
- Establishing a regional pharmacy partnership, integrating pharmacists into primary care teams at three free clinics, and supporting medication adherence at an average rate of 84%.
“The Cardinal Health Foundation’s innovative solutions and unwavering support have proven to be a lifeline for Ohio’s most vulnerable patients. Together, we are building a future where healthcare equity is achievable for all,” said Jason Koma, Executive Director of CHN.
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 Thursday, May 1, 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.
