Benefactor recognized for supporting free clinic
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STEUBENVILLE -- A local business owner and community benefactor received recognition on Dec. 14 for supporting the Ohio Valley Health Center.
Anthony Mougianis received the 2023 Free Clinic Community Partner of the Year Award from the Charitable Healthcare Network, which supports and advocates for 53 free clinics across Ohio. In addition to existing staff and clinic awards, this was the first year for the community partner award, which was presented in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health for Free Clinic Appreciation Month.
Mougianis, who is president and CEO of Apollo Pro Cleaning and Restoration, has been a partner with the OVHC since 2006, when it was the Jefferson County Fourth Street Health Center. A member of the OVHC board of directors since 2016 and board president since 2019, Mougianis has strong ties with the center and has been a financial supporter.
Mougianis himself said he is "very thankful (and) very humbled" to receive the recognition, adding that the award is meaningful to him because of the CHN's role in helping free clinics in Ohio like the OVHC, which serves the medically underinsured or uninsured in the Ohio Valley. Mougainis said he is proud to have been partnered with the OVHC from its humble beginnings to its current "state-of-the-art" facility at 423 South St.
Jason Koma, executive director of the CHN, was part of the deliberations leading to Mougianis' selection for the award. Koma said the CHN was honored to recognize Mougianis, who exemplifies the community support needed for free clinics to "meet the needs of the most vulnerable."
Ann Quillen, OVHC executive director, said, "Throughout OVHC's existence, Apollo Pro Cleaning and Restoration and Anthony Mougianis have provided tens of thousands of dollars of in-kind donations and even more in financial contributions. This generous support enables us to meet our patient's needs, expand our care and outreach … and transform the lives of thousands of patients in the Ohio Valley."
Quillen, who submitted Mougianis' nomination to the CHN, commended Mougianis' "philanthropic leadership" that empowers the clinic and added that his greatest method of support is not financial. Rather, it is his "promotion within the community about the center's mission" that makes the most difference.
"The financial support is great, but that's just half of the story. (Mougianis) promotes the clinic to his constituents. He understands what we do, and it shows that he believes in what we stand for."
Quillen recalled an event from 2013, her first time working directly with Mougianis, who had been a donor up to that point. A heavy snowfall had caused the center's roof to collapse its former Fourth Street location, allowing water to run inside.
Quillen contacted Mougianis, and a cleaning crew from Apollo arrived within 30 minutes to mitigate the disaster and shovel snow off the roof -- all at no charge. With the OVHC's relationship only strengthening since then, Quillen said she is grateful for Mougianis, adding that it speaks to Mougianis' character that he will "do anything in his power" to help the center when needed.
To this day, Quillen said, Apollo continues to ensure the yard is mowed in the summer and the parking lot is shoveled in the winter at the clinic.
Mougianis remembers the snowfall incident as well, saying he chose not to ask anything in return because he dislikes taking money from those who have little. He emphasized that the OVHC is a great cause, and the 2013 incident helped him to learn about it and become more involved.
"(The OVHC) is such a worthwhile organization in our area to be able to provide such a need and a service to people. … We have saved lives because people would have bypassed that ache of pain or symptom and just kept going on."
A 501(c)3 nonprofit, the center, which offer treatment to uninsured and underinsured residents, has left a legacy of success stories, Mougianis said, including helping individuals in their battle with cancer, addressing others' underlying health problems and making referrals as necessary so people can "continue to progress."
Inspirations for Mougianis include Quillen, Francesa Carinci, former OVHC board president, and the late Dr. Santiago Ching, a donor to the OVHC and one of Mougianis' personal physicians.
These individuals have helped motivate Mougianis to give back or "pay forward," as he calls it. Mougianis' philosophy is that someone is obligated to spend the first 40 years of his or her life working and spend the next 40 years paying forward to benefit the less fortunate.
Tom Timmons, treasurer for the OVHC's board, said, "I can't think of anybody more deserving of this award than (Mougianis). … The community is so important to him, as well as helping whoever he can in the community that might need that extra help. He's always wanted to give back in his life."
Mougianis also serves on boards of directors for the United Way of Jefferson County, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Union Cemetery and the Jefferson County Board of Health. In the cleaning industry for a total of 41 years, Mougianis founded Apollo in 2001, and he considers a service-oriented spirit to be a non-negotiable for employment within the organization.
"I'm just very thankful to serve," Mougainis said. "I really believe, in my heart, that part of what we have to do in this time we have her is to be able to help others and be able to pay forward."