FREEPORT—Members of the Freeport community and SSM Health gathered on April 29 for the grand opening of the Freeport Ministers Fellowship Alliance’s Barbershop in Freeport after SSM Health Monroe Hospital donated $50,000 to launch the program. The gift aided in securing the location, renovations, barbershop furniture and supplies.

 

SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system serving the health needs of communities across the Midwest. With sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health includes 23 hospitals, more than 290 physician offices and other outpatient and virtual care services, 10 post-acute facilities and much more. 

 

The full-service barbershop will connect Freeport residents with health care education and wellness resources. The central-eastside facility is in the F.A. Read Building, 18 W. Stephenson St., Suite 8, and is accessible for pedestrians and those using public transportation.

 

The barbershop will have two barbers and a community health worker. The community health worker will schedule health care screenings, plan and facilitate education sessions and connect clients and health care providers. The health worker will also be an advocate and share community resources for needs such as food, housing, employment, spiritual connections and more. 

 

“Our partnership with the barbershop is a true representation of our mission to reveal the healing presence of God as we create a new way to deliver health care,” says Jane Curran-Meuli, President of SSM Health Monroe Hospital and Monroe Clinic Medical Group. “This goes beyond health care and looks at the whole person and how we can help meet (their) needs.”