Clinic helps many

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July 7, 2010

By Erica Benjamin, Staff Writer CNHI The Stanly News & Press Wed Jul 07, 2010, 08:26 AM EDT

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 — It started as a vision. A vision to provide healthcare to the working poor in Stanly County. The Community Care Clinic, at 220 Yadkin St., Albemarle, was established in 1998 by Dr. John P. Murray, a retired physician who had served the community for more than 20 years.

The clinic was operated by volunteer providers and patients were able to receive medication assistance, primary health care and some dental care. Following the death of Dr. Murray two years ago, the clinic was renamed the John P. Murray Community Care Clinic in his memory.

Today, the clinic is still operated by local volunteer providers, however, the services it offers has changed.

Patients are now treated for chronic conditions, including: diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and thyroid problems, asthma and other respiratory conditions. Due to a lack of volunteers, dental assistance is no longer available, although there continues to be a great need for the service.

The clinic is fortunate to have 21 medical providers who currently volunteer their time at the clinic.

“The clinic is the most fortunate it’s ever been with the providers we have now. We have a very dedicated group of volunteers,” said Chris Vaughn, director of the clinic.

Among the volunteers are: Jenny Hinson, MD; Howard Johnson, MD; Herbie Bryan, MD; Jeff Chance, PA; Mike Hadnagy, MD; Rebecca Huneycutt, CNM; Joe Hunter, MD; Evelina Kartsimaris, MD; Phyllis Kupsick, FNP; Patty Lewis, FNP; Richard Liles, MD; Michael McLeod, MD; Dale Patterson, PA; Leonard Saltzman, MD; Kenneth Shank, DO; Kevin Lopez-Shirley, MD; Becky Yates, CNM; Cyndi Norton, FNP; Nalin Mehta MD; Sue Mehta, NP; and Connie Wallace, PA.

In addition to the efforts of volunteers, the clinic receives assistance from Stanly Regional Medical Center, which pays the salaries of three employees, donates the building and makes labs available as needed.

Individuals who lack medical coverage may be eligible to receive medications free of charge or at a reduced-cost through the Prescription Assistance Program (PAP), which was developed by pharmaceutical companies.

Medications which cannot be obtained free by PAP are provided with funds by the United Way of Stanly County.

United Way donates $12,000 per year to cover medications not provided by the PAP. Medical Pharmacy of Albemarle provides these medications at cost to the clinic, which helps stretch United Way’s annual donation even further.

“United Way has been excellent in always meeting our need,” Vaughn said.

The John P. Murray Community Care Clinic currently provides services to 430 active patients. Vaughn stressed that without assistance from United Way, volunteers and donations, patients wouldn’t receive their medications and would most likely be in the hospital.

Vaughn believes there will still be a need for free clinics after Health Care Reform. Of the 42 million Americans who are currently uninsured, the healthcare bill will provide coverage for approximately 30 million. Full implementation of the bill isn’t scheduled to go into effect until 2014.

In order to receive care, patients must be an uninsured resident of Stanly County between the ages of 18-64 and have a household income of 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or less. The clinic turns away on average 75 patients a month because it either cannot provide the requested service or the patient fails to meet the criteria.

The clinic does not receive any federal or state money; it is funded entirely by grants and donations.

“United Way and the support of this community are the reasons this clinic is still operating. Stanly County embraces what we do,” Vaughn said.

Those individuals who meet the eligibility requirements are asked to contact the office at (704) 984-4668 to go through a screening process. Patients are seen by appointment. There is typically a month-long wait to be seen by a provider.

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