His Hands Free Clinic in Cedar Rapids has hired a new doctor to better serve its uninsured patients.
Dr. Ann Safo joins the medical clinic as the first doctor hired-on as a staff person in the history of the clinic.
“This hire is a game changer. We can nearly double the number of medical patients we see in a week. In addition, Dr. Safo provides the consistency that the clinic needs to provide care to more complex cases,” said Dawn Brouwers, the clinic’s executive director.
The clinic expects to see more patients due to two major factors. This month, Iowa Medicaid is switching many to a new carrier that may not be approved by their current providers. Not only that, but the pandemic Medicaid coverage is coming to an end this April, meaning many may no longer qualify.
Dr. Safo is board certified in Family Medicine and Integrative Holistic Medicine. She also provides Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Dr. Safo can prescribe medication as needed for a wide variety of conditions, and some medications are able to be dispensed at no cost to the patient in our on-site medication room.
While she began as a volunteer, Dr. Safo was moved to seek employment because, “I feel privileged to be in a position to serve the community in a way that is very tangible and is truly loving our neighbors.”
Dr. Safo says she has been struck by the great need in Cedar Rapids for free medical care, and the variety of people in need, ”I have a soft spot for new Americans. People who are vulnerable, who don’t speak the language, don’t have a medical card yet.”
In 2022, the clinic saw patients from 52 different countries who speak 25 different languages.
His Hands Free Clinic, in operation since 1992, offers free medical care to those who are uninsured or with a high insurance deductible.
