Mercy Health Clinic

The lack of health insurance is a problem for many of our neighbors. In Montgomery County there are an estimated 75,000 uninsured residents. With that need in mind, a group of area residents established the Clinic in October of 2000 as a way to help address this ever-growing need by providing basic medical care in the underserved northern part of the county.

The three people that were instrumental in
starting the Mercy Health Clinic Donna
Romer (left), Colleen Wallace (2nd from left),
and Alvina Long (right) are joined by Sharon
Covington to celebrate the Clinics success.The idea of establishing a medical clinic that would serve the uninsured, low-income residents of Montgomery County had its origin in the Social Concerns Committee of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in the late 1990s. After thoroughly researching the subject, the committee determined that the medical needs of many uninsured adults, particularly in the upcounty area, were not being addressed.

In October 1999, individuals interested in working to establish a clinic held their first meeting. The fifty-some people who attended were enthusiastic, but it was evident that there were a number of issues that had to be resolved before the Clinic could become a reality. An accessible and convenient site, hospital and laboratory assistance, insurance coverage and financial backing were some of the issues that were identified. With major assistance from the County and by networking with local and county organizations, the Clinic Committee was eventually able to resolve all the obstacles that stood in the way of establishing a new medical clinic.

On October 3, 2000 Mercy Health Clinic opened its door at the Upcounty Regional Service Center in Germantown, Maryland. There were three exam rooms and rather limited space for the nursing and administrative staff. Over the course of the next six years, the Clinic was able to share the use of three more exam rooms with a unit of Montgomery Public Health and to achieve a slight expansion of its space for administration. However, by 2005 it was clear that the clinic site was no longer able to accommodate a growing patient population. In 2006, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services identified a suitable site in Gaithersburg, Maryland and, after much planning and some unanticipated delays, the new facility opened in June 2007.

Much has been accomplished in the past seven years is attributable to the original group of people who conceived the idea of Mercy Health Clinic and worked so hard to make it a reality.

Doug Duncan, Montgomery County Executive, (3rd
from left), Sharon Covington, Clinic Chair (center)
along with other guests cut the ribbon for the Mercy
Health Clinic's Grand Opening.

The invitation to the Mercy Health Clinic's
Grand Opening.

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Mission History Performance Milestones Recognition Organization	The lack of health insurance is a problem for many of our neighbors. In Montgomery County there are an estimated 75,000 uninsured residents. With that need in mind, a group of area residents established the Clinic in October of 2000 as a way to help address this ever-growing need by providing basic medical care in the underserved northern part of the county. The three people that were instrumental in starting the Mercy Health Clinic Donna Romer (left), Colleen Wallace (2nd from left), and Alvina Long (right) are joined by Sharon Covington to celebrate the Clinics success.The idea of establishing a medical clinic that would serve the uninsured, low-income residents of Montgomery County had its origin in the Social Concerns Committee of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in the late 1990s. After thoroughly researching the subject, the committee determined that the medical needs of many uninsured adults, particularly in the upcounty area, were not being addressed. In October 1999, individuals interested in working to establish a clinic held their first meeting. The fifty-some people who attended were enthusiastic, but it was evident that there were a number of issues that had to be resolved before the Clinic could become a reality. An accessible and convenient site, hospital and laboratory assistance, insurance coverage and financial backing were some of the issues that were identified. With major assistance from the County and by networking with local and county organizations, the Clinic Committee was eventually able to resolve all the obstacles that stood in the way of establishing a new medical clinic. On October 3, 2000 Mercy Health Clinic opened its door at the Upcounty Regional Service Center in Germantown, Maryland. There were three exam rooms and rather limited space for the nursing and administrative staff. Over the course of the next six years, the Clinic was able to share the use of three more exam rooms with a unit of Montgomery Public Health and to achieve a slight expansion of its space for administration. However, by 2005 it was clear that the clinic site was no longer able to accommodate a growing patient population. In 2006, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services identified a suitable site in Gaithersburg, Maryland and, after much planning and some unanticipated delays, the new facility opened in June 2007. Much has been accomplished in the past seven years is attributable to the original group of people who conceived the idea of Mercy Health Clinic and worked so hard to make it a reality. Doug Duncan, Montgomery County Executive, (3rd from left), Sharon Covington, Clinic Chair (center) along with other guests cut the ribbon for the Mercy Health Clinic's Grand Opening. The invitation to the Mercy Health Clinic's Grand Opening. Mercy Health Clinic 7-1- Metropolitan Court, P.O. Box 4115 \| Gaithersburg, MD 20885-4115

Clinic History