An effort to protect the most economically vulnerable citizens during the coronavirus outbreak has led to the opening of a free COVID-19 testing site on the grounds of the SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic in Highland Park.
The site is the result of a collaborative effort led by SAY Detroit in partnership with Trinity Health, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, EVO Detroit/Detroit2Nepal (D2N) Foundation and Michigan Healthcare Professionals. Vibra Health Lab in Troy is overseeing the lab work.
“This, in its small way, will help lead us to a path of recovery,” said Mitch Albom, who founded SAY Detroit in 2006. “This is the best example of quick, creative dedication. Before long we will have served hundreds and eventually thousands of Detroiters who might not otherwise have been tested.”
The testing site is open three days a week – Monday, Tuesday and Friday – with results being conveyed to patients within 24-48 hours. Tests are offered at no cost, and a physician’s referral is not required. The SAY Clinic is located at 211 Glendale, a few blocks west of Woodward.
“This test center will overcome many of the barriers which deny access to other testing centers, including patients allowed to be seen without a doctor’s note/prescription, allowing foot traffic for individuals without access to cars, and seeing patients without health insurance at no charge,” said Dr. Richard Keidan, founding director of EVO/D2N.
Tawana Nettles-Robinson, Trinity Health’s Director of Medical Services-Detroit Market, said: “We’re glad we get to serve the residents of Highland Park and surrounding communities and fulfill an unmet need. Our goal is always to address and do what we can do to combat health disparities in our community.”
The SAY Clinic, which opened in 2008 in partnership with DRMM as the nation’s first free health clinic for homeless mothers and their children, has been managed by Trinity Health since 2019.
“Designed to be accessible and convenient, the site comes fully equipped to provide quality testing that is so critical in the concerted efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic,’’ said Dr. Chad Audi, DRMM President & CEO.
The testing site is one of six focused initiatives created by SAY Detroit in response to the pandemic called “Detroit Beats Covid-19!” It is also supported by charitable donations from Albom’s “Human Touch’’ fictional, serialized story of hope during the coronavirus pandemic, written in real time and shared each Friday in weekly installments at humantouchstory.com.