A New Chapter in Medication Access for Manhattan
Thanks to the incredible support of our community, the Manhattan Community Health Foundation helped successfully launched the Ascension Via Christi Dispensary of Hope (DOH) pharmacy in 2024.
After an outstandingly successful first year, this program is now sustainable. This milestone allows us to evolve our support and pivot to meet the next, most critical need—ensuring our neighbors get the medication they need, when they need it.
Our 2024-2025 Impact: A Partnership That Works
Your support in action. In 2024, MCHF provided the crucial startup funding to build the Dispensary of Hope from the ground up—from the security door to the network fees. The results from this initial investment have been remarkable.
In less than one year, the pharmacy has:
- Dispensed $39,167 in free medication value to our neighbors.
- Managed 201 patient encounters.
- Grown prescription fills from 35 in its first quarter to 231 in its most recent quarter.
This partnership has been so effective that our partner, Ascension, will now cover the ongoing annual DOH network fees. This is the perfect example of how community seed funding can create sustainable, long-term programs.
The Leader Who Made It Possible
This success was driven by dedicated community leaders. We want to spotlight the incredible work of Kevin Oehme, Pharmacy Director at Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan.
Kevin spearheaded the launch of the Dispensary of Hope, a lifeline for uninsured individuals and those earning less than 300% of the federal poverty level.
Despite having no prior outpatient pharmacy experience, Kevin coordinated with all community partners and staffed the facility. His collaborative leadership was the force that brought together key organizations—including Ascension, Konza Prairie FQHC, and the Manhattan Free Clinic—to create this essential community resource.
Our Evolving Commitment: Solving the Next Challenge
A successful program provides more than just a service; it provides data. Through its operations, the pharmacy has identified two new barriers to complete care:
A successful program provides more than just a service; it provides data. Through its operations, the pharmacy has identified two new barriers to complete care:
- Limited Inventory: The DOH’s donated inventory is limited and doesn’t always include the specific medications local patients require.
- Short Expirations: Most donated products expire within 6-12 months, making it difficult to provide consistent, long-term care for patients with chronic conditions.
With Ascension now covering the administrative fees, MCHF is in the perfect position to pivot our funding and solve this new challenge directly.
Our New Initiative: Directly Stocking the Shelves
Our commitment to medication access is not just continuing—it’s getting more targeted.
MCHF funds will now be used to create a stable, supplemental formulary. We will directly purchase essential medications that are not available through the DOH network, overcoming the barriers of limited selection and short-dated products.
This new, flexible approach also gives the pharmacy the ability to extend access to underinsured patients on a case-by-case basis, further expanding the community healthcare safety net.
Your Support Makes a 100% Direct Impact
Your support built this program. Now, you can help it reach its full potential.
With administrative and network fees covered by our partner, 100% of your donation to this MCHF fund goes directly to purchasing life-saving medication.
You are not paying for overhead; you are stocking the pharmacy shelves for our neighbors in need.