Contact:            Rosalie Danchanko, Executive Director, Johnstown Free Medical Clinic
                                 814-534-6585, Direct Line
                                 rosalie@johnstownfreemedicalclinic.com

                                 Natalie Bombatch, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist, Pitt-Johnstown
                                814-269-7157
                                bombatch@pitt.edu

February 19, 2014
For Immediate Release

Student Nurses’ Association at Pitt-Johnstown
Donates Funds to Free Medical Clinic

 Johnstown, PA― The Pitt-Johnstown chapter of the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) recently donated $1500 to the Johnstown Free Medical Clinic located at 340 Main Street in downtown Johnstown and $500 to Arbutus Park Manor in Richland Township.

 The money donated was raised by dedicated student nurses through several fundraising activities.  According to SNAP Chapter Officer Bob Voeghtly, the money was donated to the Clinic because the chapter “feels the donation[s] will help strengthen the community through the services they both offer.”

 Student nurses studying at Pitt-Johnstown shadow registered nurses and participate in clinical rotations at the Clinic.  The nurses care for senior citizens at the Arbutus Park Manor’s Home for the Holidays celebration.

 Free Clinic Executive Director Rosalie Danchanko said, “First, I must say that the contribution of the student nurses [at our clinic] is “priceless”.  Their energy, professionalism and willingness to assist impressed us.  In fact, I don’t know how we would be able to see the number of patients [we do] without their support.  The financial contribution was icing on the cake and I hope to use the money to support the position of our new part-time RN and purchase a lap top for her to use.”

 SNAP Advisor and Nursing Instructor Elizabeth Katrancha concluded, “These are a great group of student nurses who are active, involved, and self-motivated!  It is great to see them giving back to the Johnstown community.”

 The Free Clinic presented the Student Nurses Association at Pitt-Johnstown with a plaque thanking the group for their service and naming the Community Immunization Room in honor of the association.

 The Johnstown Free Medical Clinic  had more than 3400 patient encounters in 2013 and provided over 6,000 prescriptions valued at nearly $2 million to those in need.  The Clinic, in operation since 1998, provides free medical and pharmaceutical care to the low income, uninsured population in the Laurel Highlands region using volunteer professional staff. 

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