Heart to Heart International Completes Point of Care Lab Install for Good Neighbor Health Clinic, White River Junction, VT

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MEDIA ALERT – (May 12, 2025) Heart to Heart International (HHI) announced today a point-of-care lab will be installed at Good Neighbor Health Clinic in White River Junction, Vt.

The HHI lab program aims to improve patient outcomes by implementing timely and accurate treatment protocols. Many Americans delay medical care due to cost and transportation barriers. HHI addresses these challenges by installing point-of-care laboratories in clinics allowing for quick, on-the-spot testing and results, enhancing diagnoses and patient outcomes. This testing is especially crucial for diagnosing and managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

Good Neighbor Health Clinic is located at 70 N. Main St. The laboratory installation will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Training will go through Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Media Opportunities for potential interviews with Good Neighbor Health Clinic Executive Director Elizabeth Austin and to take shots of the new Point of Care Laboratory Equipment:

  • Tuesday, May 13th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. during installation
  • Wednesday, May 14th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. during training
  • To coordinate interviews, please call (603) 677-6322.

Good Neighbor Health Clinic Executive Director Elizabeth Austin stated: “We are delighted to have the partnership of Heart to Heart International to make health equity happen; Good Neighbor Health Clinic was created to meet the needs in our community that go beyond the traditional healthcare setting. Often, the members of our community served in this space face significant barriers in accessing care. This incredible gift and partnership will allow us to deliver healthcare sooner, right here, rather than waiting several days from the time of appointment for results. We can move forward today. By having this point-of-care testing equipment, it will revolutionize our work to be more effective when timing matters for our patients”

HHI Senior Vice President of Programs Tenagashaw (Tena) Tiruneh had this to say: “This partnership embodies our commitment to the goals of our laboratory program and supports our mission of improving access to equitable healthcare in medically under-resourced communities.”

HHI with support from BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) will equip this health center with modern lab equipment, staff training, mentoring, technical support, and supplies and reagents for the first 12 months. All installed equipment becomes the clinic’s permanent property.

With the installation of a point-of-care lab at a free health clinic, patients don’t have to make additional arrangements for transportation or pay extra fees for lab testing. This approach effectively reduces barriers! Provides frequent testing at a patient’s health clinic promoting a higher level of engagement between the patients and their healthcare providers. and increases the likelihood of patients following clinical and treatment advice. Lab tests performed at the time of clinic visits allow for more efficient workflow processes, expeditious decision-making and a better treatment plan. Immediate availability of results allows patients to be treated and on their way to recovery.

HHI Director of the Laboratory Program Heidi Schutz added: “Heart to Heart International is excited for this opportunity to partner with Good Neighbor Health Clinic as we continue to break down barriers to equitable access to healthcare in under-resourced communities by installing point-of-care laboratories in free and charitable clinics. With our POC Lab Program, Good Neighbor Health Clinic will gain the instrumentation, reagents and supplies, training, and mentoring needed to enable them in providing rapid, accurate laboratory results to aid in diagnosis and treatment decisions for their patients all within the same visit.”

To learn more about HHIs Laboratory Program, visit: Point of Care Laboratories – Support Heart to Heart International. For additional programs aimed at improving health access locally and globally please visit: www.hearttoheart.org

Heart to Heart International is a nonprofit international health organization with its headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas. Since its inception in 1992, HHI has delivered medical aid and supplies worth $3.2 billion to more than 130 countries, including within the United States. HHI responds to natural disasters both domestically and internationally by supplying medical relief and mobilizing volunteers. The organization is a 4-star Charity Navigator charity, a BBB Accredited charity and is on the “Philanthropy 400”. To learn more, visit hearttoheart.org.

 

Media Contact:
Andrea Wilson (she, her)
Community Engagement Specialist
M 816-674-1897 | Andrea.Wilson@hearttoheart.org
11550 Renner Blvd., Lenexa, KS 66219
hearttoheart.org