GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Beginning in October, Catherine's Health Center will staff a full-service medical clinic to serve anyone experiencing homelessness on the first floor of Mel Trotter Ministries.
The clinic recently opened. Its focus is on providing comprehensive primary care services to people staying at the shelter.
Catherine's chief medical officer, Megan Erskine, explained Wednesday on West Michigan's Morning News how the partnership came about.
"The opportunity to work with Mel Trotter is a dream because we knew that we needed a dedicated, brick-and-mortar clinic to connect to sort of these place-based care models, as well," she said.
They were able to secure a grant to fund a full-time medical team, a part-time dental team and some mental health services at Mel Trotter.
Mel Trotter CEO Cris Palusky told WOOD Radio the clinic at Mel Trotter Ministries was renovated before the COVID-19 pandemic and had been underused since then.
"We see this as almost a grand reopening, where there will be more services for guests, and also the community. So, it's huge for the community, it's huge for our guests. We just see it as a plus-plus," Palusky said.
Erskine told WMMN host Steve Kelly that Catherine's Health Center serves low-income people in Kent County.
"For this population, we found a lot of success in the last three years of going into churches, going into shelters, going to places where the homeless community is. And we consider that right-time and right-place care," she said.
The organizations said the goal is to provide personalized and dignified care to guests while also reducing non-urgent emergency department visits and unnecessary hospitalizations.
Here is more information from a Clark Communications news release:
Mel Trotter Ministries, the largest provider of services to people experiencing homelessness in West Michigan, announced today an expansion of its partnership with Catherine’s Health Center that will result in increased health clinic services for guests staying at Mel Trotter’s shelter at 225 Commerce SW in Grand Rapids.
Catherine’s is now offering full-time medical care at Mel Trotter Ministries. This new partnership will provide 40 hours per week of comprehensive primary care services to guests, with plans to expand access to the broader Heartside community by early 2026.
"Ultimately, leaders at Mel Trotter Ministries and Catherine’s Health Center believe that improved physical and mental health outcomes will enhance housing opportunities and stability for individuals trapped in the cycle of homelessness."
The clinic will serve as a “medical home” for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering walk-in appointments and a full spectrum of services including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), immunizations, screenings, well-child visits, diagnostic lab services, chronic disease management, and referrals to specialty care.
In addition to primary care, Catherine’s will provide:
- 16 hours per week of dental hygiene services
- 4 hours per week of psychiatric care
- 40 hours per week of case management support
“We are grateful to Mel Trotter Ministries and their generous partners and donors for laying the foundation for this model of care,” said Megan Erskine, CEO at Catherine’s Health Center. “Their commitment over the past four years—building the clinic and offering nursing and convenience care—has made it possible for us to expand our place-based care model and bring full-time, integrated services to this community.”
Catherine’s has spent the last three years delivering healthcare directly to the unhoused in shelters, churches, and encampments. The new clinic represents the next evolution of this work, complemented by a mobile medical van that will continue to provide outreach and services across the region.
“We’re extremely pleased to expand our relationship with Catherine’s Health Center so that we can deliver the best possible care to our guests,” said Chris Palusky, CEO at Mel Trotter Ministries. “When our renovated clinic space opened two years ago, it was our goal to provide services that healed the body and the spirit of those in need of assistance. This new service agreement will help us do that by bringing a more complete spectrum of care for anyone coming to our shelter.”
The goal of this initiative is to provide personalized and dignified care to guests while also reducing non-urgent emergency department visits and unnecessary hospitalizations. Ultimately, leaders at Mel Trotter Ministries and Catherine’s Health Center believe that improved physical and mental health outcomes will enhance housing opportunities and stability for individuals trapped in the cycle of homelessness.
An open house at the clinic is planned for October 22, 2025.
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About Mel Trotter Ministries
Established in 1900, Mel Trotter Ministries exists to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus Christ toward anyone experiencing hunger and homelessness. MTM seeks to help end homelessness and walk with people on their faith journey. For more information about Mel Trotter Ministries, visit www.meltrotter.org or call 616-588-8792.
About Catherine’s Health Center
Catherine's Health Center is a nonprofit community health center dedicated to providing access to high-quality, compassionate, and affordable healthcare services to all individuals. With a focus on holistic care, Catherine's offers a wide range of medical, dental, and mental health services to ensure the well-being of the community. Learn more at: www.catherineshc.org.