DurhamCares

2012 Total Operating Budget: $340,000

As of December 31, 2011: 

1) Be open 5 days a week for the community

Although the specific days of the week vary based on volunteer availability, we have at least one MD in the office Monday-Thursday, as well as a dentist on Friday and/or a Saturday medical/dental clinic.  More regular scheduling, along with careful tracking by our staff physician and continuity provider, support enhanced patient care for chronic as well as acute needs.  We continue to serve community patients—ranging from hourly workers to political refugees whose Medicaid has run out to our unemployed neighbors—as well as residents of the Durham Rescue Mission (DRM). 

2) See 2,400 patients in 2011.

Our total 2011 patient encounters numbered 1921.  This total includes 140 patients opting for rapid HIV testing, as well as medical, dental, and eye appointments.  Although we did not reach our goal of 2,400 patients, we are well on the way.  Our 2011 numbers represent a 39% increase over 2010, and we expect these numbers to climb further when we launch a new weekly partnership with UNC’s Hospital Medicine Program during Q1 2012.  Our monthly partnership with UNC’s Emergency Medicine Residency Program, launched during Q3 2011, continues as well.  Finally, we are interviewing additional staff for our second clinic site, which will both expand our hours of operation and increase our patient encounters. 

3) Establish long-term funding that will ensure our viability.

We are thankful to report a strong financial position as we begin 2012.  Our supporters gave generously during Q4 2011 to help us reach a $40,000 challenge match from the Stewards Fund in Raleigh as well as a $10,000 anonymous volunteer challenge.  Our monthly support remains strong.  We will utilize our grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust for operations at our second clinic site, and we continue to pursue additional funding sources to supplement our existing support.   

4) Hire a part-time dentist to work weekly.

This goal remains a top priority for 2012.  We are the only free dental clinic in Durham County, but the need extends far beyond our current capacity.  We continue to recruit volunteer dentists and recently welcomed one of them to our Board of Directors.  Our dental wait list remains long, but we have active partnerships with the UNC School of Dentistry, local oral surgeons for occasional referrals, and a variety of private dentists in the area.  These partnerships, along with our committed volunteer dentists, allow us to continue serving patients while we seek to grow our dental clinic further.

DurhamCares Commentary: The Samaritan Health Center has been on the platform from the beginning and we love both their work and their heart.  They’ve experienced tremendous growth in the past year and are on a similar trajectory for the following year.  We look forward to working with them strategically to understand and support that growth and collaboration throughout the community.  We’re certain they are alleviating pressure on the social service system through their services and want to see them still work to quantify and express that impact as well.

What

SHC is a caring group of volunteer health and other professionals, bringing together the resources of area churches, to meet the health care needs of the uninsured and underinsured in the name of Jesus Christ.  SHC opened its first clinic-providing medical, dental, and eye care-at the Durham Rescue Mission in February 2009. SHC seeks to help eliminate Durham’s health disparities as it provides accessible, holistic health care, focusing on the physical as well as the social, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients.

Why

It’s clear to all of us that access to medical care for the uninsured and underinsured is critical.  There’s a huge gap to fill when it comes to appropriate health care for those who may not have access to it.  Preventive and appropriate health care can also help arrest some of the other cycles of poverty and need that we see in society, including homelessness, addiction and abuse, not to mention the burden that taxpayers bear for the impact of a lack of care for so many.  For all of these reasons we are excited to partner with Samaritan Health Center.  Even more, though, we know that their desire to serve the whole person - physical and spiritual - is the key to impacting lives and turning the tide for their patients.

SHC has initially served residents and former residents of the Durham Rescue Mission who lack a stable source of primary medical or dental care, or who have inadequate health insurance.  SHC is now expanding to other underserved community members as needs become apparent and the resources become available.

Health Clinic:

• Facilities at the main clinic within the Good Samaritan Inn include four exam rooms, a laboratory, and a full eye clinic.
• Care is provided by volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, and other medical professionals.  A staff physician works onsite one full day each week.  
• Arrangements are made with local physicians for subspecialty referrals as needed.   
• Men from the downtown campus of the Durham Rescue Mission receive transportation to and from SHC for appointments.
• SHC schedules Rescue Mission and community patients four days per week as well as one Saturday per month.

 Dental Clinic:

• Dental care is provided at no charge to Durham Rescue Mission residents several days per month by volunteer dentists, hygienists and assistants as well as other support staff.
• Currently two full dental exam rooms, including x-rays, are available.
• There is an active and growing partnership with the UNC School of Dentistry.

Board of Directors

Dr. Mark Piehl, Chair and Founder - WakeMed Children’s Hospital
Bruce W. Andrews, Jr. - CPA
Robert Borham - Merrill Lynch
Dr. James Eaker - General Dentist
Thomas Hahn - ICAP Energy
Leland Little - Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales
Rev. Ernie Mills - Durham Rescue Mission
Gail Mills - Durham Rescue Mission
Todd Rust - Wells Fargo Advisors
Dr. Rick Stouffer - UNC
Nancy Sung, PhD - Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Dr. Raymond Toher - Duke

Samaritan Health Center_2011_Report.pdf

Samaritan_Health_Center_2Q10_Report.pdf

Samaritan Health Center 2009 Final Report.pdf