Durham clinic offers physical, spiritual and emotional care


By Kelcie Landon
UNC Staff Writer
the Durham VOICE
thedurhamvoice@gmail.com

Every day, a group of men and women dressed in scrubs, lab coats and street clothes gathers above the women’s shelter of the Durham Rescue Mission to spend time in prayer.

(Left to right) Ann McAndrew, Samantha Heuertz and Amanda McCoy, volunteers at the Samaritan Health Center, check patients in to be seen by the doctors and nurses. (Staff photo by Kelcie Landon)

The men and women pray for individuals whom they have seen that week, people struggling with chronic illnesses or those who need surgery or a pair of eyeglasses.  But the words bouncing off of these walls are far from empty—the people praying are the same people who are finding solutions to these problems.

“What we have found is that often, when people have been living on the streets, they have not been able to care for themselves, so we provide that care,” said Chris Garrett, founder and executive director of the Samaritan Health Center, located at 507 E. Knox St. in Durham.

According to its website, the Samaritan Health Center’s goal is to help eliminate Durham’s health disparities through donated talent and resources.  The center provides accessible, holistic medical and dental care that focuses on the physical needs of the patient. It also focuses on the social, emotional and spiritual issues that affect health for the homeless and underserved residents of Durham.

Practically, the center provides primary health care with a focus on the individual’s needs, including pediatrics, dermatology, dentistry and minor surgery.  In the past, the clinic has also offered eye care services and eyeglasses, although it is currently looking for an eye doctor to fill that role.

Elizabeth Brill, operations manager for the Samaritan Health Center, said that services at the clinic are free of charge for any uninsured Durham county resident with an income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or less than $21,780.  In 2010, the clinic saw 1,308 patient visits. That number is expected to nearly double in 2011.

“Some people don’t like going to the doctor because the average time people spend with a doctor is seven minutes,” said Brill.  “People feel like their doctor isn’t taking time to listen to them and hear their concerns.  I’m frequently told that people just appreciate that we listen to them.”

Care at the clinic is delivered by 25 medical doctors, five dentists and over 200 other volunteers. They spend as much time with their patients as necessary, getting to know them and their lives, learning their successes and struggles.

“These are people who really care about helping people,” said Samantha Heuertz, a second-year medical student who has been volunteering at the Samaritan Health Center since fall of 2009.  “This is their passion, and everyone is extremely motivated.”

Phyllis Wright, a Durham resident and volunteer phlebotomist, said she wanted to be a part of the clinic’s work because of the positive and professional atmosphere.

Phyllis Wright, a volunteer phlebotomist, sets up her lab station and prepares to draw blood from a patient. (Staff photo by Kelcie Landon)

“We have some of the best doctors and nurses here from hospitals in the area,” Wright said.  “I like to be involved with helping people.”

The impact of the Samaritan Health Center is tremendous.  According to a recent community health assessment, over 27 percent of Durham residents do not have health insurance. According to a survey conducted by the clinic, 20 percent of these people did not go see a doctor last year simply because they could not afford it.

“The impact is palpable on the thousands of patients we have seen.  For many of them, we have gotten their diabetes and [high blood pressure] under control, which leads to better general health as well as significant savings,” said Garrett.  “If you go to the emergency room at the hospital, they have to treat you, but that’s the worst-case scenario for everyone involved.”

According to a study done by the Raleigh News & Observer, the average cost of an emergency department visit is over $1,300.  With free primary care and medications that keep the ER from becoming a necessity, the Samaritan Health Center is saving money not only for individuals but also for the state as a whole.

For the staff, it is the stories of their patients that make their work worthwhile.

Garrett told the story of a man who visited the clinic immediately after his release from prison and was having a difficult time finding a job.  By replacing his front teeth, which had been missing for years, Samaritan Health Center helped give him the drive to re-enter the work force.

“Once he had his new teeth, his confidence and willingness to talk to people improved dramatically, and he was able to get a job the next day,” Garrett said.

On the homepage of the Samaritan Health Center’s website there is a quote from the book of Luke in the New Testament: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Thousands of years ago, a Samaritan man loved his neighbor as he loved himself.  Today, in a clinic in Durham, a group of people inspired by this story is working to do the same.

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3 thoughts on “Durham clinic offers physical, spiritual and emotional care

  1. Holly Wilson says:

    My deep admiration to all of you doctors, administrators, and volunteers who give of your time and skills to heal the bodies, minds, and spirits of so many hurting people. Sounds like some one I keep reading about in the Bible!!

    Blessings, Holly

  2. It is amazing that Durham Clinic is doing this. It would be great if more organizations can do things like this during a time when many are losing hope and all Washington wants to do is bickering.

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