Thursday, December 10th, 2015
St. Marys church offering free medical services
By Shelley Grieshop
Photo by Shelley Grieshop/The Daily Standard
Registered nurse Marcia Bowman takes a blood pressure reading of a patient in the new, free medical care clinic of Wayne Street United Methodist Church in St. Marys. The clinic - the only one of its kind in the area - is open on Sunday mornings to eligible patients.
ST. MARYS - A local church has opened the only free medical care clinic in the Grand Lake area.
Wayne Street United Methodist Church in St. Marys recently began offering medical services at no cost to those who don't have health insurance or can't otherwise afford the care.
"Apparently, there are folks who are not seeing a doctor when they really need to," Pastor Jon Kraner said during a recent interview in his office at the church.
The church will fund the program with its outreach budget, he said.
"We're not sure about the costs yet since we just got started," he said.
Screenings are conducted by appointment on Thursdays prior to scheduling an appointment with a doctor on Sundays - the only day the clinic is open on the third floor of the church's north education wing.
The idea to offer a free care clinic was born after church officials decided to assess what services were needed in the community, Kraner said. He noted the church isn't trying to take the place of other medical resources already available in the area.
"No. 1, we don't want to be seen as competition for doctors or hospitals who have patients with means to pay," he said.
Kraner said he isn't sure why there's still a need for a free medical clinic after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.
"Everybody should be covered," he said.
But some people still don't have insurance for themselves or their families and/or are being forced to pay a fine, he said. Others who have insurance often cannot pay the high deductibles, he added.
The vision for the care center was "cast to the congregation" about a year ago, Kraner said. Before embarking on the project, he and other church leaders traveled to similar centers at other churches in the region.
"Everybody has a different way, different criteria for the way they operate," the pastor said.
After creating a detailed plan, the church was given the green light by its district conference. The response from the congregation has been positive: about 30 people have volunteered their time including licensed doctors and nurses, greeters and hospitality hosts.
The church also has received some donated supplies including a new examination table, Kraner said.
However, a few obstacles remain, he said. Several local physicians and specialists want to help but only one has been approved to do so by his malpractice insurance company, Kraner said.
"We may have to pay malpractice (costs) for some doctors if their companies won't cover," he said.
Patients will be treated for minor medical issues and given prescriptions and referrals if needed, Kraner said. Those with more serious conditions should go to an emergency room, Kraner said.
"We're not going to be suturing anyone," said Marcia Bowman, a retired registered nurse who is volunteering her services.
Kraner said officials are looking into laboratories and other resources that might offer substantial cost savings to patients.
"We'll do everything we can to point them in the right direction," he said.
When asked if the care clinic will have "religious overtones," Kraner responded "it is a church."
"We will pray with you if you'd like us to pray with you but it's only voluntary," he said. "We welcome people to stay for worship service but it's not required."
The center will offer "considerate, respectful and compassionate care regardless of age, race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or physical or mental disability," officials said.
Kraner said he expects mainly to draw local residents but would not turn away anyone from out of the immediate area who qualifies.
The church also has a professional counselor on staff for those with mental issues, he added. Kraner said the goal is to take care of people holistically in a short-term manner.
Bowman said the care clinic will be an important asset to the community and a way for her to serve the Lord. "I felt a calling by God to do this," she said. "As soon as I heard about it, I said 'Thank you, Lord.' "
Medical clinic at a glance:
What: A free medical care center at Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 130 N. Wayne St., St. Marys.
When: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Sundays by appointment; screenings are 4-6 p.m. Thursdays and are required prior to appointments on Sundays.
Contact: For a screening appointment, call the office at 419-394-3615 or email office@waynestreetumc.org. Office hours are 1:30-4:30 p.m. Monday, and 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
Information packets are available at the church on Sunday or at the office.
Who: The target population is those earning less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level based on household size. A family of four cannot have an annual household income exceeding $60,625.
Individuals with Medicaid, Medicare or veterans' benefits are not eligible.
