A First-Generation American Advocates for Health Equity in Bucks County

In 1993, Meri Luarasi Gaumond was one of the first Albanian students to leave her country and go to the United States. “Communism had recently been toppled, and we didn’t even have a consulate yet. It was a chaotic time,” she said. At 21, she enrolled in a program to study the Bible. “My great-grandfather had been the bishop of the Orthodox church, which had been banned by the communists, and our entire family had been persecuted. I wanted to read the book that had been forbidden for 50 years. So I started my journey.”

That journey took her to the U.S., specifically Langhorne, Pa. She earned degrees in English literature, healthcare administration, and a masters in counseling psychology from Cairn University. As a student, she had no choice but to find healthcare services at a free clinic: “That was a memory I never forgot.”

For her career, she wanted to give back to the immigrant community and began offering interpretation services to help others gain access to better healthcare. She wrote a book called the Albanian-English Medical Dictionary. “I wanted to do for others what no one did for me when I came to this country,” she said.

Eventually, she became the executive director of the Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic, which accepts low-income, uninsured residents of Bucks County.

What inspired you to get involved with the clinic?

I wanted to go back to my roots. I came to this country 30 years ago and, as a student, I had to go to a free clinic and that was a memory I never forgot. I was looking for (and praying for) a job that I could feel passionate about. I wanted to help people who couldn’t help themselves.

I was deeply inspired by ASCHC’s vision to provide compassionate, high-quality healthcare to the underserved in our community. My passion for health equity and my belief in the dignity of every individual led me to this role. Every day, I am inspired by the resilience of the patients and the staff who believe in providing the highest level of care for anyone who needs it.

When I spent time in social work, I saw a lot of gaps in health equity. My belief is that the dignity of individuals should not depend on whether they have the means to pay for care. It should be a basic foundational right, available to everyone. I sit here in 2025 and wonder how it is that we live in the richest country on earth and still have gaps in the healthcare we offer. That’s what made me want to get involved.

You are known for your work in dementia care. How did that come about?

I developed a passion for dementia care when I saw that people with dementia were being thrown together in the psych ward. I asked, “Why are they grouped together? Is dementia a psych illness?” As someone who speaks six languages, I understood how to communicate with dementia patients, essentially as an interpreter for them.

With dementia you lose function on the left side of the brain but retain it on the right side. The left side [of the brain] is linguistic and the right is where you process rhythm, music, poetry, and spirituality. So when speaking with dementia patients, you have to be emotive and enter their world through songs, poetry, rhythm, pictures, or spirituality.

I really enjoy [working with] people with dementia. I would help staff and family communicate with these patients.

At the core of all relationships is communication, so if you can communicate love, you can stay connected for life. Someone with dementia may not understand your words, but they understand love. It transcends and crosses over all language barriers.

When I turned 50, I knew I had met my goals and career at the dementia unit and began to ask myself, what else can I be doing to help people? I wanted to help the disadvantaged. When I joined the Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic, it was a full-circle moment.

“The dignity of individuals should not depend on whether they have the means to pay for care. It should be a basic foundational right available to everyone.”

Where does funding for the ASCHC come from?

Our budget is one million a year. One third of our funding comes from grants. And we created a fundraiser, Dancing for Bucks, where local leaders in the community take lessons at Fred Astaire Studios and come together in a competitive dancing event. To vote on who wins, you have to give a small donation.

And donors! The clinic was originally called The Free Clinic, and because Ann Silverman was a dear friend and benefactor, the family approached us and asked if we would consider the name change. Ann’s daughter sits on our board. Through their generosity, we have been able to expand our offerings to include behavioral and dental programs.

I am very conservative with our budget. Most of our services are provided by our 200 volunteers, which include doctors, dentists, psychiatrists, nurses, and interpreters. So we are a volunteer-driven organization. We see about 2,600 patients a year. Total clinic visits last year were about 5,700.

How do you identify prospects and find people to come to the program?

Our clinic is for those who are uninsured and low-income (defined as earning below 250% of the federal poverty line). Now 99% of our referrals are word-of-mouth. We rely on a mix of partnerships with community organizations, referrals from local hospitals, and outreach initiatives. We are also on social media, and we try to get press coverage! I don’t want the Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic to be the best-kept secret in the county anymore. We want everyone to know that if you are uninsured and low-income, we will take care of you.

What is your biggest challenge and how do you overcome it?

Balancing the increasing demand for services with limited resources. We are seeing more and more people who are uninsured. We overcome this through creativity, partnerships, and the incredible generosity of our donors and volunteers. By staying mission-driven and adaptable, we find ways to do more with less.

How does someone benefit from the clinic, and what are the primary services?

We provide a wide range of free services including primary care, dental care, behavioral healthcare, chronic disease management, and access to prescription medications. Patients benefit by receiving high-quality, compassionate care that helps them lead healthier, more productive lives, often when they have nowhere else to turn.

When someone donates to the ASCHC, what does the money help with, specifically?

Every dollar goes directly toward patient care. Donations help us purchase medical supplies, provide medications, support our staff and volunteers, and sustain critical programs like our behavioral health services. They truly make a difference in helping us keep our doors open and serving those in need.

Can you explain the day-to-day operations and what a typical day looks like?

A typical day at the clinic is busy and rewarding. Patients come in for appointments with our volunteer medical providers, while our staff ensures smooth operations. Behind the scenes, volunteers and staff are reviewing patient records, coordinating follow-ups, and connecting patients with additional resources, like specialty care or medications.

What impact are you having on the lives of the patients you work with?

The clinic transforms lives by providing access to care that patients might otherwise go without. We’ve helped people manage chronic illnesses, return to work, and find stability in their lives. The gratitude from our patients and their stories of resilience remind us daily of the impact we’re making.

What’s been your biggest win to date?

One of our biggest wins has been the successful restructuring of the clinic after transitioning from Doylestown Hospital’s management. This has set us up for greater independence and sustainability, while maintaining our commitment to our community.

What sets the ASCHC apart?

Our model is built on compassion and collaboration. We are entirely donor-supported and volunteer-driven, allowing us to stretch resources and focus on holistic care. The personal connection we build with our patients is what truly sets us apart.

What do you wish people understood about your clinic and the community you serve?

I wish people understood the depth of need in our community. Many of our patients are hardworking individuals facing barriers like language, lack of insurance, or financial instability. Our clinic is a safety net that gives them a chance to thrive.

What do you hope for the organization to achieve in the next three years?

My hope is that we continue to expand our services, strengthen our partnerships, and secure sustainable funding. I’d love to see us grow our behavioral health program, deepen our impact on the immigrant population, and launch innovative health initiatives.

This is a mission for me, as I realized long ago, you don’t have to go around the world to do good work. You can do it right here in your own backyard.

Philadelphia-based performing artist? The Roots. They’re iconic and bring so much heart to the city.

Favorite place to eat: Zahav. The hummus there is unbeatable! I am very natural and organic in my food, and I find their taste is very authentic.

Favorite place to relax: A walk through Longwood Gardens or along the Schuylkill River Trail. You know the word “biophilia”? [It means] “a love for nature.” Longwood Gardens is the epitome of loving nature. Everyone who goes there comes out happy. The Japanese believe in forest bathing. We are all meant to be in nature. I feel so fortunate to live here. When you have been deprived of freedom, you appreciate it more.

Favorite Philadelphia small business? Reading Terminal Market. It’s a treasure trove of local businesses! Every time I go, I try to visit all the businesses there.

Favorite Philly sports team? The Eagles. Fly, Eagles, Fly! When I came to America, I did not know any other sports except soccer, because I grew up with soccer. The first game the university took us to was the Eagles and I just felt the enthusiasm of the fans, the energy, the colors, the legacy, and the tradition. It’s part of what makes us all part of Philadelphia.

You don’t know Philly until you’ve… eaten a cheesesteak at Pat’s or Geno’s at 2 a.m. At first I didn’t understand the hype, but then I tasted one, and I understood the reason. It’s about the taste and the culture. That’s what makes a city: the memories, and the camaraderie, and the community.

Why I love Philly and wanna give back: Philly is a city of grit, resilience, and heart. The people here inspire me to keep working hard to make healthcare accessible to all. Giving back is my way of honoring this incredible community. I love the name. City of phileo and adelphos — brotherly love. The intentionality of setting up the government. As an immigrant, you connect to history in a refreshing way. You don’t take for granted what you have.

LUCY DANZIGER is a journalist, an author, and the former editor-in-chief of Self Magazine, Women’s Sports & Fitness, and The Beet.

Philly Gives content is supported by the Philadelphia Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and The Lenfest Institute; and produced independently by INQStudio. To learn more about Philly Gives, including how to donate, visit phillygives.org.