“These patient encounters would not have been possible if not for accessibility of testing.”
Medical Missions Adventures in California saw it firsthand: when you provide testing where people already are, you push them toward a healthier, happier life. Heart to Heart International is dedicated to ensuring quality care is provided equitably in under-resourced communities.
In 2026, we are expanding this reach by installing six new point-of-care laboratories throughout the United States through a partnership with BD.
Our 2026 Partner Clinics:
- American Diversity Group – Silver Spring, MD
- Hippocrates Medical Clinic – Kankakee, IL
- Cape Fear Clinic – Wilmington, NC
- Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades – Bend, OR
- Lake County Free Clinic – Painesville, OH
- Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic – Pontiac, MI
By equipping these free and charitable clinics with permanent, modern laboratory equipment, we are removing the critical wait time between testing and treatment. This allows medical providers to deliver accurate results and start treatment protocols during a single patient visit.
This program provides not only the equipment but also staff training and a full year of supplies and reagents. The result is a more efficient care process where patients receive accurate results and treatment protocols during a single visit, leading to better health outcomes.
Why Point-of-Care Testing Matters
For many Americans, the barriers to healthcare are more than just financial. Transportation hurdles, the inability to take time off work, and the cost of secondary appointments often lead to delayed treatment.
Our Laboratory program addresses these challenges through:
- Reduction of Barriers: Patients no longer need to coordinate extra transportation or take more time off work for separate lab visits.
- Efficient Processes: On-site labs allow for faster decision-making and immediate treatment plans.
- Higher Patient Engagement: Immediate results foster a stronger connection between patients and providers, making it more likely that patients will follow through with their treatment.
Stories from the Field
The real value of this program is seen in the lives of the people it touches and the clinics it empowers.
“Having the A1c machine here in office is wonderful. We can track the patients’ results so much better and we are able to adjust medications as needed. This is a big help, because if we send a patient to the lab, we must wait for the patient to do it on their time. If they can get it done at their appointment, then it saves time and helps the providers to treat them better.” — Friends In Need Health Center, Tennessee
For patients like Walter, access to testing is life-changing. After fighting a 34-year battle with diabetes and spending years in and out of the ER, Walter visited our partner clinic, Health For All in Texas. Thanks to consistent testing and care, his blood glucose is now controlled for the first time in over three decades, ensuring he can be there to see his grandchild grow up.
A History of Impact
This program has a long history of transforming how clinics operate. Since the first point-of-care lab was installed in 2007, the program has grown rapidly.
- Steady Expansion: From just 6 labs in 2016, the program has expanded to 66 supported clinics as of late 2025.
- Direct Patient Reach: To date, 38,368 patients have received essential testing through HHI-supported labs.
- Proven Results: Our data shows a clinically significant decline in average hemoglobin A1c levels for diabetic patients receiving care at these clinics.
Stay Tuned for Point-of-Care Lab Installations
We will be sharing updates and photos as we begin the installation process at each of our six new locations. Keep an eye on our blog and social media channels to see these labs come to life!
