Each year I attend the annual conference for the Arkansas Association of Charitable Clinics (AACC). A couple years ago, it included a session about recruiting volunteer doctors. At the time, Good Samaritan Clinic had very few primary care doctors. However, everyone else in the session was amazed at the high number of specialists who volunteer at the Clinic. I learned that most charitable clinics in Arkansas have almost no specialty care available to their patients on-site. At the time, that was something we took for granted at GSC. We don’t take it for granted now.
Some of our most passionate and dedicated volunteers are specialists. Some of them come to the Clinic monthly. Others visit the Clinic at least once a week. In addition to treating our patients, several of these doctors also serve on our Board of Directors.
We try to make the best use of specialty time at the Clinic. With few exceptions, patients must see one of our family practice doctors for a referral to one of the specialists. The following areas of expertise are available at the Clinic: chiropractics, ENT (ear-nose-throat), cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology, internal medicine, neurology, optometry, ophthalmology, and wound care. We also have a dermatologist, a pediatrician, and an ophthalmologist who prefer to see our patients in their own offices.
Some volunteer specialists make extra visits to the Clinic to see just one patient. Some call us to check on a particular patient’s progress or test results. Some provide additional diagnostic testing free of charge at their office. Our retired volunteers often contact their still-practicing friends for favors. Strings are pulled and people get the treatment they need. In spite of not having health insurance.
Our patients are lucky to have such a range of specialty care available. Perhaps even more importantly, they get to experience the enthusiasm of these committed volunteers.
If you know any specialists who help at Good Samaritan Clinic – or any other charitable or free clinic – please tell them that we are thankful for their passion and purpose! They are striving to improve the lives of low-income people who do not have health insurance. One life at a time.
