Ministries clinic serves those without health insurance [The Mount Airy News, N.C.]

Feb. 19--In a difficult economy, health insurance is not an option for many people. However, diseases do not differentiate between the insured and uninsured.

To aid the latter group, Surry Medical Ministries offers free medical care. Located at 813 Rockford St., the clinic opens its doors each Tuesday at 3 p.m.

But as the demand has increased, the funds have decreased.

In fact, the clinic's most recent budget suggests it could be short about $19,000, said Ministries President Dr. Dave Dixon.

"As you can imagine, more people are being put in the position where they no longer have insurance," said Dixon. "A lot of times, people will be working two or three part-time jobs to make ends meet. But they don't have insurance with any of them, being part-time jobs, and they can't afford insurance because the cost is astronomical."

According to Dixon, this situation has been growing particularly over the last five years. In 2011, the clinic provided more than $50,000 in free medicine. But Dixon expressed pride in that amount of help offered.

After all, the clinic was started to assist individuals in need, no matter the cost.

Planning for Surry Medical Ministries began in 1992 by John Lockhart, Dr. Roger Kerley and Dr. John Chang, the latter of whom had worked at a free medical clinic in Greenville. At the time, about 8,000 individuals in Surry did not have health insurance. Hence, the three men formed a non-profit foundation and selected a board of directors to oversee its operations. In 1993, Surry Medical Ministries officially opened.

The clinic attracted attention not only in its community but throughout the U.S. as well. In 1994, the National Civic League named Mount Airy as an All-American City, recognizing Surry Medical Ministries as a key component of that honor.

For its first few years, the clinic did not have a pharmacy. "We found out pretty soon that this was a problem," said its vice president, Millie Beal. "If patients don't have money to go to the doctor, they certainly don't have money to get prescription pills." Hence, the clinic added a pharmacy to its facility.

In addition, Surry Medical Ministries began working with Northern Hospital to offer free lab tests and x-rays.

Since then, the clinic has grown at a remarkable rate, as have its number of peers. In its first day, Surry Medical Ministries saw about seven patients, as North Carolina's sixth free clinic. Today, it regularly has at least 50 patients, while 78 other free clinics have been established in the state.

To qualify for treatment, individuals must have no health insurance of any kind. During their initial visit, they will meet with a social worker, who will ask them questions to determine their status.

"If they don't have means of proving they qualify, we don't turn people away," said Dixon. "We'll ask them to come back the next week and bring some sort of proof.

"We try to see everybody we can in that first visit as long as they qualify."

Surry Medical Ministries enlists the help of about 20 physicians in town. They work on a rotating schedule, with physician assistants, family nurse practitioners, pharmacists and social workers -- all of whom volunteer their time. A new addition to its services is dental care, courtesy of Dr. Michael Tumbarello and wife Robyn. The clinic offers patients dental checkups once a month, dedicated to the memory of dentist Dr. Julie Bray. For budgetary reasons, it mostly specializes in tooth extraction. However, Dixon expressed hope that more dental-related services could be given in the near future.

John Cox of Mount Airy Drug is in charge of the pharmacy at Surry Medical Ministries. Nearly 60 percent of the clinic's budget goes toward pharmaceuticals.

"We have people giving us discounts as much as they can," said Dixon. "But we buy the medicines only to give them away. It's an enormous amount of money.

"Over the years, several drug companies have brought by free samples. With our insulin, particularly, we would get a lot of that," he continued. "But when you're talking about $40,000 to $50,000, it gets a little harder to have all of that donated."

Thus far, Surry Medical Ministries has survived difficult economic times, thanks to careful planning and community support. Fiscally, last year was actually an improvement over previous years, said Beal. The clinic gets money from the United Fund, Blue Cross Blue Shield and the North Carolina Association of Free Clinics, although Beal admitted the amount from certain groups had been decreasing.

"We just have to keep going on faith, because we don't make money," said Dixon. "There is no way for us to make a plan where we can work harder and generate more income."

Surry Medical Ministries also receives consistent donations from churches, civic organizations and individuals -- some of whom are returning the kindness shown to them. Beal recalled a recent letter which said, "You looked after me when I needed you. Now I have gotten a job." Attached to the note was a bit of money, a token to show the physical and emotional needs met by the clinic.

But as Surry Medical Ministries faces its financial obligations, it could also use more volunteers.

"I think of a verse in the Bible," said Beal, quoting Isaiah 6:8: "'I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.'

"The doctors that work down there, they are good souls," concluded Beal. "They care about their fellow man. But there is such a need, it's overwhelming."

Dixon likewise expressed gratitude toward the volunteers at Surry Medical Ministries.

"We need more people to come by and help us," said Dixon, "as far as qualified and trained health care people, nurses, doctors and pharmacists. When you see your pharmacist or doctor, ask them if they'll volunteer at the clinic.

"Even people who aren't trained in health care can help us with records, welcome people or hand out medicine.

"We could always use more help."

For more information, call Millie Beal at 789-1152. Donations can be sent to Surry Medical Ministries at P.O. Box 349, Mount Airy, NC 27030.

Reach Josh Armstrong at 719-1921 or [email protected].

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