This Fall, HUB worked with the Alabama Regional Health Services (A.R.M.S.) clinics here in Jefferson County to supply them with many critical items they needed to better serve their patient population. ARMS is a federally qualified health care clinic that has been serving the greater Birmingham area since 1983. Their service areas include six clinics in Blount, Jefferson, St. Clair, and Shelby counties, and they have approximately 26,000 encounters annually for a population in which 60% do not have insurance.

After initial meetings, we conducted a Needs Assessment then determined their high priority items and started collecting and packaging the items. Our volunteers spent approximately 72 hours sorting, packing, and palletizing supplies for this project. On Tuesday, November 17th, we delivered $21,720.44 worth of supplies and equipment, including a colposcope, a handheld arterial doppler, a vitals machine, and an infant scale.

We worked closely with Mr. Anthony Gardner, CEO, and Dr. Yocunda Clayton, Medical Director during this process. Mr. Gardner thanked HUB for our donations and said, “We all have the same mission in mind, to take care of those who need our assistance and are trying to improve themselves.”

In a follow-up interview with Dr. Clayton, here are a few of her comments: “We are overwhelmingly grateful for everything that you’ve (HUB) done. We are grateful that HUB exists and also grateful that you decided to partner with us to help our patients with items such as the colposcope and the different things that help us in the daily running of our clinics, including cotton balls and blood pressure machines. I speak for the entire organization and the providers that you have helped us in terms of the handheld arterial doppler and the scales. Everyone is very appreciative.”