To the editor:

Thanks very much to Dave Ranney for Tuesday’s front page article explaining the situation requiring the Leo Center’s medical clinic to charge a small fee for patients who are able to pay (as we have since the Leo Center opened in April 2004). We are very appreciative of our private pay and insured patients whose fees help offset the cost of the gratis medical care that we are able to provide to those who are unable to pay. We’re also extremely grateful to the large number of individuals and churches whose volunteer service and generous contributions fund the balance of our operating expenses.

I would like to clarify one point: The article stated that “Heartland Community Church runs the Leo Center … .” In fact the six-member board comprised of the senior pastors of the Leo Center founding partner churches is the entity that oversees all activities of the Leo Center. That group has directed and empowered an executive team consisting of two paid staff and two volunteers to “run the center.” The founding churches are: Clinton Parkway Assembly of God, Heartland Community, Morning Star, Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship, Victory Bible and Lawrence Wesleyan.

Paul Gray,

president, Leo Center board,

Lawrence