The Benefits of POC Lab Tests for a Student-Run Free Clinic
with Jessica Hrnciar, MD, Melissa Chen, MD and Meredith Fills, PA-C
This presentation is released on Monday, January 18, 2027.
Point-of-care testing is compared with send-out testing at a student-run free clinic: each hemoglobin A1C cartridge costs $9.60, against $81.68 when the test is billed to an uninsured patient, and EKG supplies run under $1 per test after the grant-funded equipment purchase. Fingerstick training takes about 1 hour rather than roughly 10 hours for venipuncture, and results arrive during the visit so clinicians can discuss them and begin treatment immediately.
Cite this presentation
Safoora Murad; Jessica Hrnciar, MD; Melissa Chen, MD; Meredith Fills, PA-C. The Benefits of POC Lab Tests for a Student-Run Free Clinic. Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Accepted for presentation at the 2026–27 National Aequitas Health Conference, Monday, January 18, 2027.
Aequitas Health is a national medical honor society and 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose fellows are selected for community health work serving those in need. It is a 2023 recipient of the McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund (McNulty Foundation and Aspen Institute). This is one of 21 presentations at the 2026–27 National Conference, which is free, virtual and open to anyone.