Cecilia turned to the Mission so she could stay healthy enough to keep her job.

It was obvious that Cecilia didn’t feel well.

Her boss told her not to come back to work until she’d seen a doctor. She works from midnight to 9 a.m. each day, so she called to make an appointment at the Mission as soon as she left work.

“I had to call today,” she said, “I have to keep working.”

Cecilia was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to get an appointment on such short notice even though she’s an established patient because she knows that thousands of patients count on the Mission’s clinic for primary care from just a few medical professionals.

When she was told that she could see Ginger Fabrizio, PA-C, that very day because of the nature of her symptoms, Cecilia was grateful.

“I am low-income, don’t have insurance but make too much for Medicaid,” she said, “so doctors are hard to come by.”

The Mission's program director, Dave Kraly (left), and executive director, Scott Golding (right), join the executive director of the National Association of Free Clinics, Nicole Lam0ureux, at a one-day clinic in Washington D.C. on August 4, 2010. Dr. Darrold Stoebner also volunteered.

Three of the Mission’s staff members — J. Scott Golding, executive director; Dave Kraly, program director; and Darrold Stoebner, M.D., volunteered at a one-day clinic in Washington D.C. on August 4. This event was the seventh such clinic put on by the National Association of Free Clinics across the nation since September of 2009.

Here’s a clip from an article written for the Washington Independent by Annie Lowry:

Staffers at the event touted the educational portion as the most important. Dave Kraly, a program director at the Medical Care Mission in Abilene, Texas, described it as “necessary.” He noted that the clinic included additional, related services — job referrals and instructions to help people find the best place to get their prescriptions, for instance. “If we can prevent people from having no insurance, or needing to head to the emergency room,” the clinic has worked, he said.

Follow the links below for more information:

Video:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/Free_Health_Clinic_Washington_DC.html

Articles:

http://washingtonindependent.com/93737/free-health-care-clinic-draws-hundreds-underscores-need

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Free-clinic-helps-homeless-get-healthy-1007348-99971219.html

David had not seen a dentist in 10 years before becoming a patient of the Mission.

David had not seen a dentist in 10 years when a friend told him about the Medical Care Mission’s dental clinic.

“Before I came here, the pain was so bad that I was going to use food money to pay another dentist in town,” he said. “I would’ve starved; it’s a miracle I found this place.”

David says he picks up applications for the clinic’s services every time he comes in for an appointment so his friends will have the chance to receive the same type of care that Dr. Shelhamer and the staff offer.

“The people I know can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket at a private dentist’s office,” he said. “They go through all kinds of pain.”

Those wishing to qualify for services at the dental clinic may stop by 294 Medical Drive in Abilene from 2:30 to 4 on Thursday afternoons to fill out an application. Call (325) 677-3455 for more information.