CrossOver celebrates relocation, expansion of its Henrico pharmacy

Since its founding in 1983, CrossOver Ministry has continually expanded its efforts to provide healthcare to those in need, adding programs and services as well as a new venue in Henrico over the years.

Recently, CrossOver celebrated another milestone: the opening of the Community Pharmacy at its Henrico Clinic.

Previously located at the Richmond Clinic on Cowardin Avenue, the pharmacy has moved to a newly renovated and expanded space – thanks to a $150,000 donation from Molina Healthcare Virginia – at CrossOver’s Quioccasin Road site.

CrossOver CEO Julie Bilodeau prefaced the ribbon-cutting ceremony with grateful remarks for Molina, which funded the pharmacy through its MolinaCares Accord, and to the many volunteers who make the pharmacy possible.

"We run our pharmacy 100 percent with volunteers," said Bilodeau, noting that many were on hand for the celebration – including Leo Ross, who performed the ribbon-cutting.

"Leo," said Bilodeau,"has been volunteering as our pharmacist in charge for 19 years."

(Other volunteers include pharmacists Robert Berringer, Sherri Hedricks, Annie Mehfoud, Meredith Nelson, Neil Partridge and Kathy Whitten and doctors of pharmacy John Bucheit and Zach Powers.)

The larger pharmacy will double CrossOver's capacity to provide prescription drugs to the low-income, uninsured, and medically underserved local residents who patronize the clinic, Bilodeau pointed out.

"Medication access is so crucial," Bilodeau said. "Most of our patients have at least one chronic disease, and many have multiple chronic diseases.

"Without a place like CrossOver, patients have to go without [medications], or do things like cut pills in half to stretch the supply."

Another important feature of the new pharmacy, Bilodeau added, is a medications counseling room, which can be used by pharmacists to review instructions and dosage with patients.

She noted that when new clinic patients are asked to bring in the medications they take, they frequently show up "with grocery bags full – often including samples or medications prescribed to others."

'Smiles and compassion'

Gigi deBlois, a long-time CrossOver volunteer, was among the dozens of supporters who joined the celebration and ribbon-cutting.

A retired physician, deBlois said she became involved with CrossOver in retirement and has been impressed not only with the quality of care at the clinics, but at the way it is delivered: "with smiles and compassion."

"I've spent my entire career in medicine," added deBlois, "[and] any one of us being cared for by a private practice would be privileged to get the level of care delivered at CrossOver."

In addition to primary care and some specialty care such as orthopedics, deBlois noted that CrossOver also has a hospital discharge program and provides comprehensive prenatal care, mental health service, vision and dental care.

Providing that care can be particularly daunting, deBlois said, when so many patients are of differing backgrounds and nationalities. CrossOver has served patients from 119 different countries, speaking 40 different languages – meaning that the clinic must maintain a costly language line in order to ensure access to all.

As a charitable organization that does not receive federal funding and relies on philanthropy for support, that means donations like Molina's are key to keeping the doors open and continuing to improve and expand services.

Hidden in plain sight

Despite the Henrico Clinic's location across the street from Regency Mall, however, it sometimes feels to CrossOver supporters that the clinic and its clientele are "hidden in plain sight."

"Many [patients] are essential workers who contribute greatly to our community," deBlois said, "yet they are invisible to most of us who do not use CrossOver's services."

Bilodeau agreed that too many of the clinic's neighbors seem unaware of its existence – or of all its benefits to the community.

"We often say that CrossOver is one of Richmond’s best-kept secrets," she said. "We need help getting the word out so that everyone will know about the great work that is done at CrossOver."

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CrossOver is seeking additional volunteers – especially pharmacists, interpreters and nurses – to help with its mission to promote wellness and provide healthcare to people in need. For details about volunteering, click here.