PoG on KCUR’s Up To Date
8/15/22 – KCUR’s Up To Date
Pharmacy of Grace provides affordable prescriptions to the uninsured and underinsured
Pharmacy of Grace was on Up To Date with KCUR, where founder John Yost and board treasurer Liz Sutherlin shared how the nonprofit is addressing a critical barrier to health: the high cost of prescription medications.
As Wyandotte County’s only standalone pharmacy focused on serving uninsured and underinsured patients, Pharmacy of Grace is more than just a dispensary. It’s a mission-driven effort to provide not only affordable medications but also personalized counseling to help patients understand how, when, and why to take their prescriptions.
Yost and Sutherlin emphasized the urgent need for accessible medication in a community where too many people are forced to choose between their health and their budget. By pairing low-cost prescriptions with one-on-one education, Pharmacy of Grace is building a model of care that prioritizes both affordability and understanding—two things every patient deserves.
The Pitch Promotes PoG Grand Opening
8/8/22 The Pitch Features Pharmacy of Grace Grand Opening.
This article highlights Pharmacy of Grace grand opening as a major step toward improving healthcare access in Kansas City. Pharmacy of Grace is set to open its doors as the city’s first stand-alone pharmacy dedicated to serving uninsured and underinsured patients long-term. The grand opening, scheduled for 11 a.m. on August 16, marks the beginning of a new chapter in community healthcare.
Founder and board member John Yost emphasizes the importance of accessibility in healthcare, particularly for non-English speakers. “Imagine how confusing it must be to walk into a pharmacy if you can’t speak or read English,” Yost said. “We know that for many of our clients, English is not their first language, so they struggle to understand the how and why to take their medications fully.”
Click here for the full article: Pharmacy of Grace’s grand opening scheduled for Aug. 16
Bank on KC – Conversation with John Yost
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
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.
Feature Story on KSHB
5/23/22 KSHB TV Feature
New charitable pharmacy coming to Kansas City, Kansas, this summer
As highlighted in a recent KSHB 41 article, Pharmacy of Grace is gearing up to open its doors in Kansas City, Kansas, this summer, with a clear mission: to make essential prescription medications accessible to our uninsured and underinsured neighbors.
The article shed light on the significant health disparities within our state, noting the challenges faced by residents in Wyandotte County regarding health outcomes and access to care. For many, simply filling a doctor’s prescription can be a complex hurdle, especially without insurance, with inadequate coverage, or when facing language barriers. Pharmacy of Grace is determined to change that narrative.
Inspired by the powerful words of Jesus in Matthew 25 – “When I was thirsty, you gave me drink, and when I was sick, you took care of me” – our board member, John Yost, articulated the driving force behind this endeavor: to care for people by removing limitations to accessing necessary healthcare. A significant limitation, as the article points out, is the high percentage of uninsured individuals in our immediate area (30-40%), directly impacting their ability to afford prescription medications.
The story featured Rubiselda Velazquez, a local resident managing diabetes and high blood pressure who struggles to afford the medications she truly needs, even resorting to emergency room visits. Her story underscores the urgent need for an organization like Pharmacy of Grace.
Beyond just affordability, Pharmacy of Grace is also tackling the critical issue of medication adherence. Shockingly, national statistics reveal that half of all prescriptions aren’t taken correctly. To combat this, Pharmacy of Grace, with pharmacist-in-charge Michael Fink at the helm, will prioritize in-depth, sit-down consultations with every patient, offering translation services when needed. This dedicated patient-pharmacist interaction aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and understanding necessary to manage their health effectively.
While Pharmacy of Grace is not a free clinic, the team is committed to working with individuals to make prescription medications less intimidating and more affordable. Targeting a mid-July opening, we’re eagerly anticipating the opportunity to serve our community and bridge the gap in access to vital healthcare. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to opening our doors and fulfilling our mission of grace and care for Kansas City, Kansas!
