St. Mary’s Community Care Clinic Offers Vital Health Services for Low-Income Patients
Monday, November 18, 2024
The Community Care Clinic at St. Mary’s Medical Center, proudly affiliated with the Marshall Health Network, delivers high-quality and readily accessible health care to low-income residents throughout the Tri-State area, specifically targeting individuals with incomes at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Driven by the mission of St. Mary’s, which encapsulates the ethos of “The Love of Christ Impels Us,” inspired by the teachings of St. Vincent Pallotti, this clinic is devoted to providing comprehensive preventive and specialized health care for all eligible adults, irrespective of their insurance status.
St. Mary’s Community Care Clinic Team: Top row (left to right): Charity Matney, LGSW, MSW; Kelly Munro, RN, BSN; Stacie McGraw, MA; Cheri Morris, Patient Service Representative. Bottom row (seated): Kellie Poore, RN
“St. Mary’s Community Care Clinic offers a broad array of services including medical, endocrine, cardiac, and surgical clinics, all bolstered by a dedicated team of skilled medical professionals who prioritize patient-centered care,” remarked Amanda Long, RN, the Coordinator of the Community Care Clinic. “Through our clinic, we are unwavering in our commitment to delivering quality, compassionate care to those who are most in need, ensuring that all patients receive the health services they rightfully deserve.”
In collaboration with Facing Hunger Foodbank, the clinic extends its support by providing monthly food boxes to qualified patients. These food packages contain fresh produce, meat, and essential pantry staples, helping to address nutritional needs as part of a comprehensive approach to health and wellness. To further enhance patient support, an on-site social worker offers assistance in connecting individuals to critical resources, including transportation help, medical bill assistance, and food security services.
While the clinic predominantly emphasizes preventive and specialized health care, it does not provide primary mental health services, pain management, or urological, neurological, and orthopedic care directly. However, St. Mary’s Community Care Clinic actively facilitates referrals to trusted specialty providers for these necessary services. Although medications cannot be dispensed on-site, prescriptions are conveniently sent to local pharmacies, ensuring patients have easy access to their needed treatments.
Patients wishing to receive care must complete eligibility paperwork and present proof of household income, which may include documents such as pay stubs, VA statements, Social Security documentation, W-2s, or quarterly tax returns. Enrollment forms can be obtained by reaching out to the clinic’s social worker, who is readily available to guide individuals through the application process. Clinic services necessitate scheduled appointments, as walk-in visits are not accommodated. New patient appointments are arranged following physician approval to ensure the appropriate level of care.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the St. Mary’s Community Care Clinic at 304.526.1300, or call 304.526.1239 to speak directly with a social worker from the clinic.
In what ways does the clinic address social determinants of health through its partnerships, such as with Facing Hunger Foodbank?
**Interview with Amanda Long, RN, Coordinator of St. Mary’s Community Care Clinic**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Amanda. Can you start by telling us about the mission of St. Mary’s Community Care Clinic and how it aligns with the values of St. Mary’s Medical Center?
**Amanda Long:** Thank you for having me! Our mission at St. Mary’s Community Care Clinic is deeply rooted in the principles of compassion and service. We are inspired by the teachings of St. Vincent Pallotti, which emphasize the importance of helping those in need. Our goal is to provide high-quality healthcare to low-income individuals, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their insurance status, has access to the medical services they require.
**Editor:** That’s wonderful to hear. What kind of services does the clinic provide to your patients?
**Amanda Long:** We offer a broad array of services, including medical check-ups, endocrine and cardiac care, and even surgical clinics. Our dedicated team of skilled medical professionals is focused on patient-centered care. We truly prioritize the needs of our patients, ensuring that they receive comprehensive preventive and specialized healthcare.
**Editor:** Collaboration seems to be a big part of your operations. Can you tell us about your partnership with Facing Hunger Foodbank?
**Amanda Long:** Absolutely. In addition to our medical services, we recognize that health is not just about treating illness but also about addressing the social determinants of health. Our collaboration with Facing Hunger Foodbank enables us to support our patients better by providing supplemental nutrition. We distribute food to those in need, helping to alleviate some of the challenges they face in accessing healthy food.
**Editor:** That’s a critical aspect of healthcare that often gets overlooked. How can individuals in the community access your services?
**Amanda Long:** Individuals can reach out to us directly to set up an appointment. We welcome anyone who meets the eligibility criteria of having an income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. We are here to provide assistance and support without any judgment.
**Editor:** Thank you, Amanda. Before we wrap up, what message would you like to convey to the community regarding the importance of your services?
**Amanda Long:** I want to emphasize that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. At St. Mary’s Community Care Clinic, we are unwavering in our commitment to delivering quality, compassionate care to those most in need. We want our community to know that we are here for them, ready to provide the health services they rightfully deserve.
**Editor:** Thank you for your time, Amanda, and for the vital work you and your team are doing for the community!
**Amanda Long:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to share our mission!