Eleven Years!

Today we celebrate 11 years of service to our community. As I reflect on that amount of time, there are so many things that come to my mind.

First and foremost – I have never been at a job for 11 years. I never imagined I would be here for 11 years. Of course, I never imagined the need, the number of people we would see, the number of volunteers we would have, the fight for healthcare coverage for all Americans. Pretty much, I had no imagination – just a willingness to do the work.

In 11 years we have seen 4,237 individuals come through our door seeking services; nearly 85% of them qualify for services here. Some people we see one time – they are sick or have had a minor injury, and come to us for help. Others are temporarily without insurance and come to receive the medications they need for a short period of time. For some, we become their primary care location long term. Some are unable to get insurance or jobs because of health conditions; many are in the 50+ age group – unemployed, and often unemployable. For whatever reason, they have not been able to find employment. There are many individuals who work low-wage jobs with no benefits. Often these individuals are working multiple jobs – all minimum wage with no benefits. Sometimes the spouse has insurance; almost always the children qualify for Michigan Medicaid for Children.

In 11 years we have had 23,840 patient encounters – the cumulative number of visits to the clinic. It includes all the services provided – physician visits, medication refills, chiropractor, podiatrist, and other specialty clinics.

In 11 years we have provided medications to the uninsured residents of our community with a retail value of $7,562,587. Those medications have kept innumerable patients out of the emergency room. By providing the medications necessary to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and other chronic conditions, the clinic has saved our community countless dollars, countless hours in the emergency room. Our community IS healthier because of the clinic.

Since January of this year, the clinic has averaged 60 individuals each week. We are able to handle that number with amazing ease. We never know who or what will show up when we open the doors at 5 pm. Some nights the line has been forming since 2 p.m. Other nights, the crowd comes in slowly, gradually. We have set two records this year for the most patients seen – first 83, then three weeks later we saw 99.

Usually about half of the patients come in to get medication refills. We fill all of our prescriptions for 30 days, so we see people regularly. It is sometimes a burden for people to have to come in every month. But, it is a bigger burden for the pharmacists to have to fill prescriptions for longer periods of time. Sometimes patients forget, or maybe they really don’t know, that the clinic is staffed by volunteers who have worked all day, then come to the clinic to give of their time. One of my main jobs on Tuesday night is to take care of my volunteers.

There is energy on Tuesday nights that can’t be explained. Yes, there are the patients that try our patience and nights when we want to (and sometimes do) scream. But, then someone walks up to me and quietly says “Thank you.”

But, after 11 years, what I know is that we are not enough. People should have a basic right to healthcare - real healthcare – in a doctor’s office, in the hospital when appropriate. Everyone should have access to preventative care, annual physicals and immunizations; healthcare WHEN they need it – not just on Tuesday night.

I am so grateful to so many people that I have met over the years. The congregation of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Hillsdale – who had the vision and wisdom to start this ministry; the staff and volunteers at the clinic – who keep me on my toes; the patients who have changed my life – hopefully for the better; the donors and supporters of the clinic – even those who didn’t initially believe in our mission or our ability to carry it out. My life is so full and rich because of all who have passed this way.

Yes, I am glad that healthcare reform has passed and that Michigan finally has voted to accept Medicaid Expansion. I am so glad that my patients will have access to healthcare. I look forward to the next phase of life for the clinic – helping people access healthcare. We will help them with the applications for healthcare, with transitioning from the clinic to private providers, and I suspect we will be here for the foreseeable future – providing healthcare to those that continue to fall through the cracks. The ACA (Affordable Care Act) is a good beginning, but does not solve all the problems.

Happy 11^th Anniversary to St. Peter’s Free Clinic! Thank you staff, volunteers, supporters, donors, and patients – for all that you do and all that you are. We couldn’t do it with out you!