Bank on KC – Conversation with John Yost

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6/29/22 Banking on KC

John Yost of Pharmacy of Grace

Co-founder and Board Chair John Yost talks about what PoG will offer the community once open.

On this episode of Banking on KC, John Yost shared the powerful origin story of Pharmacy of Grace, a new nonprofit pharmacy in Kansas City committed to improving access to medication for the uninsured and underinsured.

With a pharmacy degree from KU and decades of experience in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sales, Yost witnessed firsthand how many vulnerable patients fall through the cracks—especially those living with chronic conditions like diabetes. But it wasn’t until he encountered the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio during a mission trip that the vision for Pharmacy of Grace truly came into focus.

Opening July 11 at 721 N. 31st Street in Wyandotte County, Pharmacy of Grace offers far more than prescriptions. Its services include health screenings, counseling with a pharmacist, immunizations (with plans for mobile delivery), and mental health referrals. Importantly, the clinic is designed to feel welcoming—with private rooms that accommodate individuals or families for one-on-one medication guidance.

Why Wyandotte? The need is urgent. Nearly one in five residents are uninsured, and the county ranks last in the state for health access. Diabetic hospitalization rates are nearly double the state average. And across the U.S., 2 to 3 out of every 10 prescriptions are never filled—often because people simply can’t afford them.

Pharmacy of Grace is closing that gap.

With early support from foundations like REACH, Health Forward, Sunderland, and AdventHealth, Yost and his team have created a model rooted in both compassion and evidence-based care. They’re close to meeting their operational funding needs and welcome donations at pharmacyofgrace.org.

As Yost puts it, “If a doctor prescribes medication and the patient can’t fill it, all that work doesn’t change anything. We’re here to change that.”

Health Forward – Blog

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6/12/22 — Health Forward blog: Anne from Mercy and Truth Medical Missions

We get by with a little help from our friends

When Rubiselda Velazquez arrived late for a local news interview about the new Pharmacy of Grace, her reason underscored exactly why this nonprofit pharmacy is so desperately needed. She had just spent the night in the ER with dangerously high blood sugar—and no insurance to cover the cost of care.

Her story, captured by the news crew, brought into sharp focus the barriers many Wyandotte County residents face in accessing affordable medications and wraparound care. It also demonstrated what’s possible when safety net providers, faith communities, and healthcare partners join forces.

Though the Pharmacy of Grace hadn’t officially opened yet, its team—alongside Mercy and Truth Medical Missions—sprang into action. They secured food, housing support, emergency prescription coverage, and a path to long-term medication access through the pharmacy’s future patient assistance program. Even her ER and physician bills were waived thanks to advocacy and strong partner relationships.

This is more than a feel-good story. It’s a real-time example of what integrated care can look like when services are colocated, barriers like transportation are removed, and people are treated with dignity and compassion. When Pharmacy of Grace opens its doors in July, it will be the region’s first freestanding nonprofit pharmacy—offering low-cost prescriptions, one-on-one counseling, and life-saving access for patients like Rubiselda.

Because in Wyandotte County, where nearly 1 in 5 residents are uninsured and over 14% live with diabetes, this kind of care isn’t optional. It’s essential.