Health care official’s passion keeps Wesley Health Center open
CONNELLSVILLE – Nancy Kuniansky moved to the area two years ago from Florida looking to put her nursing skills to use for a good cause. Three months ago, Kuniansky found her niche in the health care profession at the Wesley Health Center (WHC), a free health care center for the uninsured and underinsured located at 410 S. Pittsburgh St.
If it wasn’t for Kuniansky, a certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP), Wesley may not be in operation today.
The clinic was almost forced to close its doors after six months of searching for a nurse practitioner with no avail.
Kuniansky of Greensburg said Wesley appealed to her because of its alternative setting. “I’m amazed at the level of dedication that the people involved with the clinic have, it’s unusual to see that kind of passion,” she added.
As a nonprofit organization, WHC is governed by a volunteer board of directors responsible for overseeing the facility’s daily operations.
Since it opened in 1993, WHC has continued to provide safety-net services to more than 1,700 residents in Fayette and Westmoreland counties without other resources for health care.
Kuniansky said the facility treats about 18 patients per day diagnosed with acute or chronic illnesses.
Wesley also provides patient education to improve health conditions and reduce health risks as well as coordinate with health professionals and health facilities to increase services by welcoming patients in a caring atmosphere.
As the only health care provider on staff, Kuniansky was hired at Wesley in April, bringing with her more than nine years of experience in family practice.
“I was ready to get back to a different patient setting,” said Kuniansky.
Kuniansky graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a nursing degree and received her national certification as a CRNP in 1997 specializing in family practice.
“I went in to nursing because my father became terminally ill when I was in high school and I spent a lot of time with him at the hospital,” Kuniansky said.
With free clinics demanding more from their providers than standard medical practices such as long hours and average pay the volunteers at Wesley found themselves up against finding a nurse practitioner that was willing and able to provide services.
As a safety net clinic, WHC serves a unique population with 69 percent of the patients composed of individuals without federal or state assistance; little or no insurance; those with low-paying or temporary jobs and college students with no family support.
“These are the people that tend to fall through the cracks because they don’t’ have (health) insurance,” said Kuniansky.
According to Kuniansky, a lot of patients treated at WHC often have underlying symptoms detected from their initial diagnosis.
“They come in with bronchitis or a UTI (urinary tract infection) and we discover a more chronic problem like diabetes or high blood pressure,” said Kuniansky.
On the other hand, Kuniansky said the patients that she treats are grateful to receive health care services. “It’s sad when you get people that had insurance all their lives and they get laid off or their plan ran out,” said Kuniansky.
While Kuniansky is licensed to diagnose and treat patients as a CRNP, she collaborates with Dr. Mouhanad Al-Fakih of Connellsville for further assistance in addressing more serious concerns or life threatening illnesses.
From a nurse practitioner standpoint, Kuniansky said she occasionally helps people on an emotional level.
As president of WHC’s board of directors for the last 13 years, Dexston Reed said more local people are taking advantage of the facility’s services while some travel from as far as West Virginia, Washington and Somerset counties.
“Part of our function in the community is hoping they seek us,” said Reed.
With an annual budget of roughly $120,000, Reed said Kuniansky and the center’s office manager are the only paid employees at Wesley since the center relies solely on donations generated from various fund-raisers, individuals or organizations.
The board also works with the United Way in order to receive state and federal funding averaging between $5,000 and $10,000 a year in grants.
“We operate as inexpensive as we can,” said Reed.
Because of its limited funding, Reed said prescription medications are donated for the most part from various pharmaceutical companies, local pharmacies and physicians’ offices.
In some instances, Reed said some local hospitals have even gone as far as absorbing the majority if not all of the costs for extended services such as X-rays or scans.
Reed stressed however the board prefers to work “behind the scenes” by identifying patients by numbers instead of names for confidentiality purposes.
And, said Reed, people appreciate it.
Reed added the center is not affiliated with Wesley United Methodist Church, although the parish is supportive as well as St. Rita’s Roman Catholic Church in getting the word out through their weekly bulletins or newsletters.
According to Reed, statistics from the center have revealed that more people are being treated in Connellsville and surrounding areas for diabetes. “This is one of our focus areas,” said Reed noting the center has extended it involvement with the American Association on Diabetes.
Kuniansky said she would like to see the center provide more services in the near future with more geared toward female wellness based on previous experience in that area.
“I want (WHC) to reach out and let more people know we’re here,” she added.
Wesley Health Center is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 724-626-2610 or visit their Web site at www.wesleyhealthcenter.us or wesleyclinic@winbeam.com.