Thirty years ago Dr. Viola Startzman, along with community leaders and a group of concerned citizens, stepped up to address a need for accessible health care for everyone. One of the founding community leaders, Mike Reardon, will be a guest of honor at the Viola Startzman Clinic’s first fundraising gala on Aug. 15 at the Greystone Event Center.
Trips for Change will celebrate the clinic’s 30 years of serving the community. The evening will include dinner, dancing, a live auction, and a variety of trips and experiences for individuals, couples and families.
Purchase tickets by Aug. 8 at violastartzmanclinic-bloom.kindful.com/e/trips-for-change-celebrating-30-years-of-service-to-the-community.
Founded on the belief that quality health care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, VSC offers a unique approach — combining primary medical care, mental health services and dental care all under one roof. VSC accepts all insurance plans and offers a sliding fee scale to ensure affordability.
“Our goal is to meet patients where they are and walk alongside them on their journey to wellness, especially those who are most vulnerable including individuals experiencing homelessness and severe mental illness,” said Executive Director Dr. Mark Yoder, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP.
Over the years VSC has grown into a full-scale, comprehensive clinic. In 2024 VSC saw over 10,000 patient visits and gave out nearly $1.3 million in charitable care.
VSC thrives through a range of community partners and a wide reach throughout Wayne and Holmes counties, with services available to anyone in Ohio. Dental and primary care covers the life span, and mental health services begin at age 6. Telehealth is now offered as well. No referrals are needed.
True to the clinic’s commitment to meet individuals where they are, partnerships allow VSC to provide on-site psychiatric services to incarcerated individuals at the Wayne County Jail. Direct health care services also are offered weekly at the Homeward Bound Day Center and Severe Weather Shelter and Trinity United Church of Christ — places serving as lifelines for individuals facing housing insecurity.
Through a partnership with Broken Grounds Coffee Company in Millersburg, efforts have expanded into Holmes County for individuals who are unstably housed or in need of health care navigation.
A Community Health Worker pilot program was launched in January of this year in Wayne and Holmes counties.
“Our CHWs provide vital support to individuals by connecting them with housing and food resources, assisting with insurance enrollment, delivering health education, and making referrals to essential services such as primary care, mental health treatment and counseling,” Yoder said.
The clinic has two main buildings in Wooster and operates in the Wayne County Administration Building and some partner organizations. Adult vaccinations are available, and transportation assistance helps patients get to appointments safely and affordably.
There is an in-house pharmacy with medication prepackaging and delivery. The VSC collaborative network includes Wooster Community Hospital, Mental Health and Recovery Board, Wayne County Jail, Cleveland Clinic, NAMI, Anazao Community Partners, Wooster City Schools, United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties, United Way of Orrville, OneEighty, and Homeward Bound.
Especially now, local donations, both financial and in-kind, are vital to VSC’s long-term sustainability. Public funding, which has been essential to the clinic’s survival, is increasingly unpredictable, Yoder said.
The clinic recently experienced a $50,000 reduction in Title X funding, which helps ensure all individuals have access to the tools and education they need to build healthy families and futures. VSC lost another federal grant totaling around $100,000.
There are many ways to help support the clinic’s work to assure everyone has access to health care: monetary gifts (one-time or recurring), wish list donations, planned giving, IRA rollovers and donor-advised funds.
When insured patients choose the clinic for their health care needs, the insurance reimbursements allow for delivering charitable care by offsetting costs. Spreading the word is another way everyone can help the clinic thrive.
Volunteers also are crucial. In order to build long-term fundraising support, a Friends of Viola Startzman Clinic group is being launched (email vscfriends@startzmanclinic.org for more information). In addition, there are a variety of volunteer opportunities available.
“We are always in need of volunteers, and the impact they make is profound,” Yoder said. “Our most pressing need is for health care professionals. Dr. Robert Cebul volunteers routinely with us. (And we need) dentists, given that our clinic operates the only charitable dental clinic in the region.”
Other volunteer needs include outdoor maintenance, event support, administrative work and especially those with experience in nonprofit grant writing or fundraising.
To volunteer, apply online at www.startzmanclinic.org/services/volunteer or call 330-262-2500.
The need for the clinic’s services has continued to rise in recent years, yet funding has not kept pace. While the clinic has expanded its provider coverage and added additional health care professionals to its team, both grant funding and individual donations have declined significantly over the past five years. This makes the 30th anniversary gala not only a celebration, but also an opportunity to raise awareness and generate the financial support needed to sustain and grow VSC’s mission.
At the same time, possible expansion is on the horizon.
“We have been approached by leaders in West Salem and Holmes County who are requesting our services in their communities,” Yoder said. “In the future, with sufficient funding, we are positioned to expand and bring much-needed care to these underserved areas.”
For an appointment or more information, visit www.startzmanclinic.org/forms-virtual-appointments#forms, email vsc@startzmanclinic.org or call 330-262-2500.
