SPOKANE, Wash — The Regence Foundation announced a $30,000 challenge grant today for Christ Clinic, a primary care clinic for the uninsured, to help the organization hire a new nurse practitioner. Currently, the clinic is understaffed and forced to turn patients away. It applied for The Regence Foundation grant so that it can triple the number of patients seen at the clinic.

“The Regence Foundation is committed to helping make sure people without insurance have access to affordable health care,” said Michael Alexander, Regence Foundation board chair. “With more than 47,000 uninsured people in Spokane County, it’s especially important for us to support Christ Clinic and the essential health care services it provides.”

In addition to the grant it received from The Regence Foundation, Christ Clinic recently completed the first phase of a capital campaign and moved into a new and larger clinic space. The new clinic will provide a medical home for the uninsured and also house Christ’s Kitchen, a program that teaches job skills to low-income women.

“The grant to Christ Clinic is part of The Regence Foundation’s commitment to building healthier communities,” said Monique Barton, executive director of The Regence Foundation, “Our goal is to forge long-term partnerships with local nonprofits who share our vision of transforming health care.”