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.