Stories and Photos by Elizabeth Liu
Since 1987, every patient who has walked through the doors of Health for All has had a unique situation. Most have had a series of unfortunate events — either throughout their life or in recent times — but all have a story to tell, says Amanda Schrader, community relations specialist for Health for All. Her job has put those less fortunate in the forefront of her mind, and she says that some parts of her job keep her awake at night.
“When you genuinely want to help someone, but you know your resources only go so far, it’s hard, and it weighs on you,” says Schrader. “I lay in bed and think about this patient who just lost their spouse, or how they’re going to make ends meet, or even get here because they have no money for gas.”
Healthcare in America is expensive. For uninsured and low-income families, otherwise easily treatable illnesses can lead to death. Health for All’s mission is to provide primary care to those patients in hopes of giving them a healthier, productive life.
A small clerical staff and a rotating list of 200-plus volunteer medical professionals make the day-to-day activity of the free clinic possible. As the only full-time, free medical clinic in Brazos County, an increasing number of patients are seen annually. Through the generosity of community donors and fundraising events, this nonprofit organization provides free healthcare to the seven-county Brazos Valley region. Eligible clients must be low-income, uninsured, and ineligible for government assistance, says Elizabeth Dickey, executive director for Health for All.
Behind the welcome desk and down the hall is the heart of the operation. Elizabeth Dickey must decide how to best serve the community with the clinic’s limited resources. The current breadth of services offered includes primary care, and preventive screening, according to the Health for All patient handbook. They also provide ongoing care for chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and COPD.
Health for All functions because doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical providers donate their time. There are 49 nurses and doctors who come in when they can, but the biggest struggle for the clinic remains getting more medical providers to volunteer, says Elizabeth Dickey.
“We tell them about our clinic and our mission in direct interviews to get them to come, or they get referred to help,” says Elizabeth Dickey.
There always seems to be a greater need than resources allow, but with the heartbreaks there is also hope. Weekly huddle meetings allow the staff to share uplifting stories. Elizabeth Dickey recalls a student in Bryan ISD who was doing exceptionally well until a sudden plummet in grades and attendance. A social worker learned the girl had started skipping classes to take care of her younger siblings. She was also running her mom’s cleaning business because her mother had gotten too sick.
“It turns out, her mom had diabetes but had been undiagnosed,” shares Elizabeth Dickey. “We got her mom medication and treatment. Now she’s back in school and planning to attend medical school.”
The clinic helps the community in other ways besides providing medical treatment. According to Health for All’s website, up to $6 million in taxes are saved in Brazos County because the clinic provides uninsured and low-income families primary care instead of those patients going to local emergency rooms for treatment.
Nursing students, pharmacy students, public health students, and business students also come to the clinic to learn parts of their skillset, says Dr. Nancy Dickey, medical director for Health for All. She is also the executive director of the Rural and Community Health Institute and president emeritus of Texas A&M Health Science Center.
“[Health for All] is also a remarkable learning laboratory,” says Dr. Dickey. “It makes a positive partnership between the school, the clinic, and the community.”
The clinic offers a place for human interaction since patients sometimes come in for anxiety or depression. Many of the people don’t have anyone else outside the clinic, says Schrader. One man in particular was released from prison and was trying to make things right; he came and talked to her for a long time, says Schrader.
“They linger in the clinic a little longer because they need those interactions,” says Schrader. “I feel like those are the most impactful for me; whenever I have time I try to do that.”
A common topic among board members and staff is the need for affordable healthcare. Texas has the highest rate of uninsured, with one in three people in Brazos Valley uninsured, according to Health for All’s website. Elizabeth Dickey explained the cycle of being uninsured.
“Those who don’t have insurance are more likely to ignore a health problem and hope it goes away,” says Elizabeth Dickey. When this happens, the problem gets to a point where it is an emergency and the hospital is mandated to provide care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. Insurance premiums go up, employers can’t afford insurance or health benefits, and the whole cycle starts over, she explains.
There is a common misconception about who the clinic serves, says Bill McGuire, chairman of the board. Many people think the majority of the patients are Hispanic or black, but that is not the case. McGuire has been in and out of the clinic countless times, and pointed out that there are people of all ethnicities and ages. The clinic serves individuals whose household income is less than or equal to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, according to the Health for All patient handbook.
The Health for All team expects an increase in people needing their services. McGuire hints at a possible expansion in the works. McGuire, who has background in banking, has come up with other ways to expand the revenue.
“The challenge is finding new ways to make money, because we don’t want to turn people away for not having enough resources,” says McGuire.
Despite the problems caused by the Texas Legislature not expanding Medicare and Medicaid with federal funds, says Elizabeth Dickey, the clinic will continue to help those who are uninsured. The community takes care of its own, she says. Some members of the community are not able to see how impactful these services are for low-income families, but focus on the monetary value of clinic services, says Elizabeth Dickey.
“Some are blessed enough to afford healthcare, but as a community we have to be grateful and not resent a service,” says Elizabeth Dickey. “So many of the patients are so grateful, and it causes a ripple effect of good.”
