HONOREES — Ohio Valley Health Center Executive Director Ann Quillen, far right, was joined at the Steubenville free clinic by honorees for the OVHC’s 19th- annual gala. They are, from left, Susan Tarr, volunteer of the year; Mary Meyers, medical honoree; and Wilma Ching of the Ching Family Trust, community partner of the year. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — Since its inception in 2006, the Ohio Valley Health Center’s impact on the community has been significant, with more than $1 million of free care provided in 2024 alone.

The free clinic in Steubenville serves medically uninsured or underinsured Ohio Valley residents, providing comprehensive medical care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. Services range from medication assistance and laboratory services to food supplements and case management.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the OVHC depends on grants and donations to be an effective health care safety net for community members. Roughly a third of the clinic’s operating budget is supported by an annual gala, which will have its 19th iteration this month.

Built around a masquerade theme, OVHC’s gala will take place April 27 at the St. Florian Event Center, 286 Luray Drive, Wintersville. Tickets are $65 per guest and must be purchased by April 21. Those wishing to reserve their spot or be a sponsor can visit ovhealthcenter.org or call (740) 283-2856.

This year’s theme is “Unveiling the Mask for Hope, Health and Healing” — granting staff a chance to “unmask” the OVHC’s life-saving work in the community.

Set to be unmasked during the gala’s 6 p.m. program are several key contributors to the clinic’s operation. Special recognition will be presented to Mary Meyers, the clinic’s medical honoree; Susan Tarr, volunteer of the year; and Wilma Ching, who will be representing the Ching Family Trust, community partner of the year.

OVHC Executive Director Ann Quillen described the positive effects these honorees have had on the OVHC and its patients. Staff proposed the candidates for recognition, with the board of directors issuing the final approval.

Volunteer medical provider Mary Meyers first began working at the OVHC while a nurse practitioner student at Duquesne University, undergoing mentorship training. After finishing her nurse practitioner program in 2020, the religious sister became one of the clinic’s regular medical volunteers.

“Mary brings a lot of joy to the clinic,” Quillen said. “She’s funny, she’s smart. Patients love her. She’s very relatable.”

Quillen said she’s very grateful for Meyers — who holds a doctoral degree in nursing practice — and the three other Duquesne nurse practitioners who volunteer weekly at the clinic. She added the OVHC is very fortunate to have a lineup of high-quality medical volunteers in general.

Originally from Staten Island, N.Y., Meyers is a Sister of St. Joseph who transferred to the Pittsburgh area. She spent 19 years as an elementary and high school teacher before pursuing nursing through Duquesne.

Meyers joined Duquesne’s school of nursing as an instructor, entering a full-time tutoring role in 2013. Already holding a master’s in education, Meyers pursued a master’s in nursing through St. Louis University.

In 2019 and at the age of 64, Meyers became a nurse practitioner, completing her preceptorship at the OVHC with Duquesne doctor of nursing practice Denise Lucas. Two years later, Meyers obtained her doctorate in nursing.

Meyers said she loved her first experience with the OVHC and is happy to keep coming back, donating one day a week. The bedside work is a relief amid teaching duties, Meyers said, noting her passion for helping vulnerable populations.

“I’m a nun, so these are my people. … These are folks who are underserved, and they don’t have health insurance, usually through no fault of their own. I feel like it’s the purest medical care I give because we don’t bill, we just help people, and we’re able to do it for them for free. … It’s very rewarding to see the difference that we make in people’s lives, literally.”

The marketing representative for A&B Sunset Pharmacy, Tarr connected with the OVHC through her work but got more involved, participating on the gala committee. Tarr has become a friend of the clinic, Quillen said, and has helped resolve issues involving medications.

In addition to being a donor, A&B Pharmacy is an integral part of the OVHC’s homeless shelter outreach, which sees volunteer medical providers travel to the Urban Mission shelters weekly to see patients, Quillen said. The pharmacy delivers those patients’ medications and provides certain rare medications at a discounted rate, if they can’t be obtained through the prescription assistance program.

Assisting as the go-between, Tarr always goes the extra mile for patients and the gala committee, Quillen said.

“When I think of Susan, I think of somebody who’s dedicated, warm, friendly and giving. She’s a pleasure to work with.”

A Yorkville resident who was raised in Mingo Junction, Tarr started working for A&B Pharmacy Sept. 11, 2001. She began as a delivery driver but assumed a role inside the pharmacy soon afterward.

In 2014, Tarr stepped up to perform the pharmacy’s marketing, which is how she became familiar with the OVHC.

“It might’ve been my job that brought me in, but it’s what they do here that keeps me committed,” Tarr said.

Clinic staff are nice and compassionate, she said, noting her gratitude for being able to volunteer her time alongside them, with gracious approval from her employer. Tarr said there’s much to love about the OVHC and its work benefiting people with little-to-no insurance, as well as individuals who have gaps in coverage, which she sees often in her work.

Wilma Ching is the wife of the late Dr. Santiago “Sonny” Ching, a longtime locally practicing doctor who volunteered at the OVHC.

In addition to supporting many other causes, the Ching Family Trust has donated $65,000 to OVHC to date, not including $9,000 in memorial donations received following Dr. Ching’s death at the age of 81 on May 28, 2021.

The Ching family has continued to financially support the OVHC, providing critical funding for the clinic’s colorectal cancer screening program. The program, which screened 54 patients last year, would not be possible for many patients without the Chings’ ongoing help.

“Even though Dr. Ching is gone, we still get to continue his vision and his mission for the Ohio Valley,” Quillen said, adding that the trust’s continued giving through Wilma Ching keeps her husband’s legacy alive.

Originally from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, Wilma Ching was an outstanding student and valedictorian of her class. After high school, she moved to Cleveland for nursing school. Working as a nurse in the ICU, she met her future husband when he was a medical resident. The two dated for three years before marrying.

Dr. Ching had colleagues from Steubenville who convinced him to relocate there and contribute his skills as a gastroenterologist. The Chings made the move to Steubenville, where Dr. Ching ultimately practiced for 40 years. During the last 10 years, Wilma Ching worked as his nurse and manager.

Established prior to 2000, the family trust has supported a number of causes through the years, including some in Dr. Ching’s home country of the Philippines. Ching targeted funding at causes related to science, education and health.

Ching and the trust were instrumental in restarting the Steubenville City Schools annual science fair in 2019 through a major donation. Named in his memory, the fair is held annually, with Wilma Ching serving as a judge.

Regarding why she’s continued to give through the trust, Wilma Ching said, “It’s about his legacy and making sure he’s remembered. … It helped me in my grieving to know I had a purpose.”