Loretta’s Story: “They gave me a chance!”

Loretta was in her 50s, working toward her bachelor’s degree, a mother of seven children, a grandmother to six, and attempting to balance a full-time job when she found Alliance Medical Ministry. “I wasn’t making a lot of money at the time, I wasn’t emotionally well, and I was sick. I went to a health center that suggested several clinics. Alliance was one of them, and the one that stood out to me. It’s just a place where you can go if you need help.”

When she called Alliance, Loretta was immediately impressed with the level of responsiveness she received. “They were friendlier than others, they had the information I needed, they didn’t make me wait, and they were able to see me in a month. But most importantly, they made it affordable. I didn’t realize that was possible for me, and I was shocked.”

When Loretta became a patient at Alliance, she was diagnosed with diabetes. Loretta was surprised by the amount of attention she received from her doctor. “I was shocked at the level of care. I know she’s a very busy woman, but she always found the time to return my calls, and a patient really appreciates that. She was always there and patient with me. She has been with me through all of my ups and downs, and has shown me a way to deal with everything from my diabetes, to school, and work.”

Loretta is now 60 years old and working toward her masters’ degree in health administration at Strayer University. “It wouldn’t have been possible for me without Dr. Lewis. She’s helped me in ways that she’s not even aware of, believing in me when no one else did, and showing me that I can do it.”

When comparing Alliance to other clinics, Loretta noted that what separates Alliance apart, is the total care they provide. “They’re here to help you as a complete person. Not just medically, but mentally too. Dr. Lewis has helped me with my diabetes, but she’s also helped me with depression, confidence, and working through school.”

“When you come to see Alliance, they give you a chance. They don’t say ‘you don’t have the money so you can’t see the doctor.’ Not everyone gives you that chance, considering your personal life and what you have going on. That means a lot.” As Loretta works toward her masters’ degree, she hopes that one day she can work in health administration at a center like Alliance. “I started from the bottom and I’m slowly coming up-I think I’m going to be alright now, and I have Dr. Lewis to thank for a lot of that.”

2013 Program Update

This year we are celebrating 10 years serving our community! As a public recognition of our work, Alliance received the Community Outreach Healthcare Hero Award from the Triangle Business Journal. While honored, we know our work is not done and in some ways just beginning

Five, sometimes six days a week, we are seeing patients. We conduct more than 940 patient visits a month. If you add to that education programs, counseling, lab appointments, and nurse visits, that number rises to 1,400 interactions. That tells us we are not only seeing patients, but also treating the whole person. As medical needs are uncovered, we are able to make many referrals to in-house specialty clinics provided by our volunteer doctors: Cardiology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Physical Therapy, and Sports Medicine. We are their medical home and our patient’s first stop to receive care.

Our goal is to “dig deep” with our patients so that their overall health will improve. Typical Alliance patients have three individuals in their home with a household income of $19,900. They not only have to learn how to overcome their health challenges, but manage them with limited resources and added stress. That is why we have developed creative health education programs over the years.

This year we have completed the first full year of our Diabetes Group Visit Program that combines a typical doctor visit with group health education. Results from phase one will be ready later this fall, but initial reports show decreased A1c (sugar) levels and weight loss. This summer we added our first all Hispanic group to the program as well as a nutrition class that occurs in the grocery store where patients learn to shop and read labels.

The health education continues to expand outside of Alliance too! When we say we dig deep, we mean literally too! We continue to till the soil outside of Alliance in our community garden. Patients receive fresh produce directly from the hands of their doctor or nurse with a healthy recipe and information about accessing fresh foods in our community. We have launched a series of yoga classes where doctors are “prescribing” the classes to patients. In addition, we are starting nutrition and cooking classes for patients who have been through the Group Visit program. Addressing weight and nutrition issues is the first step in addressing many chronic diseases.

We are also here to listen. Over the past three years, we have launched and expanded our Pastoral Care and Counseling program. As a result, we have increased hours, volunteer support and are on track to nearly double our counseling sessions this year.

As we prepare for coming healthcare changes, our job is not complete. While we can acknowledge the good work we have accomplished, there will still be 75,000 people in our community who won’t have access to affordable healthcare options in 2014. In the coming year, our responsibility is to “dig deep,” provide care, expand our reach, and help patients transition to healthcare exchanges. I hope we can depend on your support! There are many ways to engage.  Sign up for our regular emails to learn more: http://www.alliancemedicalministry.org/register/

Debbie Allison: living faith through service to others

Debbie Allison has admired Alliance Medical Ministry since the beginning. “I heard about Alliance at my church, First United Methodist Church in Cary, when it was first being organized in Wake County.” From the first time that Debbie heard about Alliance, she has been inspired by the mission. “For years I've felt that our approach to healthcare in the United States is both shortsighted and shows a disregard for human needs. With all the wealth in our country, we should be doing a better job of providing basic healthcare to everyone, not just those who can afford insurance.” It was the concept of Alliance that interested Debbie from the start, and the more she learned about it the more she wanted to help. “I was interested in how Alliance works with healthcare resources in Wake County to provide healthcare that both reduces total cost and improves people's health”. So as soon as Debbie began working part time and had an opportunity to volunteer, she increased her involvement Alliance family!

Debbie assists Ingrid Escobar, Patient Referral Coordinator, with referrals for specialist care. “It could be calling the specialist office who is providing free access, calling WakeMed or UNC to arrange an appointment, it could be gathering and sending the patient information that we provide to the specialist, or it could be calling the client to notify or remind them of their appointment or actions needed.” Debbie is thrilled at the opportunity to help improve the health of patients here with every phone call that she makes. “While I'm not a trained healthcare provider, this work affords me the opportunity to have a direct impact on patient needs.”

What Debbie admires most about Alliance, is the compassion and dedication of the people who work here. “Every time I'm here I see both staff and volunteers who are providing compassionate care to a community of God's people. They are living their faith through services to others.”

“You don't have to be in the healthcare field to make an impact in someone's life at Alliance. Take the leap and contact our volunteer coordinator to learn how you too can be a part of this important faith based community service!”

We appreciate everything that Debbie does at Alliance Medical Ministry. If you are interested in volunteering, we encourage you to contact Elizabeth Daniel at edaniel@alliancemedicalministry.org to learn about the different opportunities and how you can utilize your skills to better fulfill the needs of our patients here at Alliance.

Dr. Roy: “ It’s about treating the whole person”

When Dr. Duane Roy III (“Skip”) joined the Alliance family in February of this year, he was looking for a way to help his community. “I knew that when I semi-retired, I wanted to give back. And faith is an extremely important part of my life, so I wanted to seek out a faith-based organization.”

Dr. Roy trained as a physical therapist in the 1960’s, and in 1969 he started his career at Wake Med. During his last years at Wake Med, Dr. Roy became acquainted with Alliance Medical Ministry.  He was inspired by Alliance’s mission to treat the working poor of the Raleigh community, and has since volunteered every Thursday to provide physical therapy for patients here.

            Dr. Roy believes that Alliance provides medical professionals with an excellent opportunity to give back to the community, and he feels that it is the responsibility of medical professionals such as him to help the low-income working population of Raleigh.

He went on to discuss what he admires most about Alliance. “It’s a supportive environment, and a really great team-everybody just plays so well together.”

Dr. Roy also admires the unique way that Alliance treats patients. “I really appreciate that faith-based aspect of what we do, it’s about treating the whole person and not just the partial condition. A lot of these people with back and neck problems, its just life that’s happening. I can help a little with (physical therapy), but we need the whole team to truly care for them.”

Dr. Roy encourages health professionals to join Alliance as a rewarding volunteer experience. “We (health professionals) choose these jobs, not typically for the money, but because we want to make a difference and help people. Alliance provides that opportunity.”  

 

“She believed she could, so she did.”

“I was unbelievably out of breath walking to the door,” shared Jamie.  At the young age of 26, Jamie was hospitalized for H1N1 & double pneumonia for an extended amount of time.  Jamie faced that after being sick for so long she physically didn’t have the stamina or endurance to walk very long which prevented her from work that she needed.  After she concluded physical therapy during her time in the hospital, Jamie found her weight back to what is was when she was admitted.  One January day, she came across a flyer that read "Christian Women’s Job Corps" offering a life and job skills class at no cost to help build resume and interview skills.  At the end of the program Jamie would be paired with a mentor to guide her through the physical goals as well the goals she had for herself to find a job.  Jamie may have never had the opportunity to bless us here at Alliance if she hadn’t taken the courageous leap of faith towards Christian Women Job Corps that day, despite all of her setbacks. 

      Soon after she was paired with her mentor, Jamie was informed by a friend of a local trainer that was willing to work with her and continues to work with her to meet the goals she has placed for herself.  Shorty after Jamie started meeting with her trainer she was referred to Alliance. Her father was the only one employed at the time which did not settle well with Jamie because she knew in order to start working again; she needed to seek further treatment.  Jamie’s appreciation for a holistic weight loss approach led her to a medical home here at Alliance.

      “Alliance didn’t make me feel ashamed about the shape I was in,” shared Jamie. She has been a patient of Alliance for almost three years and continues to grace us with her vibrant smile and loving nature.  She shares that her time spent at Alliance has opened her eyes to the proper medical care that she needs.  Obtaining good health has been a journey for Jamie as she continues to “manage portions and participate in daily activities.”  Dr. Lewis has been an inspiration for Jamie over the years at Alliance through her love and support.  “She is truly someone special,” says Jamie.  Today Jamie has lost 130 pounds and her success is not over.  Her hard work and dedication for obtaining a healthy lifestyle continues.  Jamie holds the daily reminder around her neck in her hand as she says aloud “she believed she could, so she did.”  This daily inspiration is a keepsake for Jamie to remind herself to never give up.  She shares that Alliance shined a light of hope in her life when she thought there wasn’t any left.  Her aspirations further beyond the weight loss goals she has placed for herself.  Jamie has a strong passion to get back into school to advance her education to land a job as a Certified Nursing Assistant.  The strong desire that Alliance represents for helping others receive the care they need has inspired Jamie to follow in the paths of those she has met.  “I'm not where I want to be yet, just beginning in so many ways.  But when I look back and see where I came from, I am proud of myself, not prideful but proud that I didn't give up and take the easy way out or not try at all.”

WHAT DOES FEDERAL HEALTH REFORM MEAN FOR ALLIANCE? By Dana E. Simpson, Esq. Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P and Alliance Medical Ministry Board Member

What does federal health reform mean for Alliance Medical Ministry? Will reform help all of Alliance’s patients obtain health insurance coverage? These are common questions asked by many Alliance supporters. As we move closer to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) in 2014, it is becoming clear that (unfortunately) the ACA will not solve the problem of the working uninsured in our community and there will continue to be a great need for Alliance’s services. The ACA should help provide insurance coverage for some Alliance patients, but working uninsured individuals with incomes at or below the federal poverty level will continue to lack access to affordable insurance coverage. Here’s how it will work. Approximately 98% of Alliance’s patients have incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level. The ACA will help subsidize the purchase of private health insurance through a federal exchange for Alliance patients with incomes between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level. Ironically, however, the ACA will not provide insurance coverage for those Alliance patients with the fewest financial means - namely those at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. This is because the ACA was initially designed to expand Medicaid coverage for lower income adults, but the State of North Carolina has chosen not to expand Medicaid at this time.

The lack of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina means that a large number of working adults in our community will remain uninsured. Recent estimates by the NC Institute of Medicine found that approximately 123,000 adult residents of Wake County lack access to affordable acute and primary medical care. If 50% of these residents receive subsidies to purchase health insurance (which is consistent with initial Congressional Budget Office estimates), then this will still leave 75,000 Wake County residents without insurance. Last year, Alliance provided a primary care home for 8,000 active patients. This representsjust 10.5 percent of all Wake County residents who will lack access to affordable insurance coverage following implementation of the ACA in 2014. These numbers make it clear that the need for Alliance’s primary care services in our community will continue.

Although Alliance’s services will still be very much in demand, implementation of the ACA will necessitate change for some current Alliance patients. The Alliance staff and Board of Directors are working on developing a plan to help our patients who become eligible for federally subsidized private health insurance in transitioning to new health care providers that accept such insurance. This will allow Alliance to create additional capacity for the thousands of other low-income working uninsured adults that have not previously been able to become patients at Alliance due to capacity limitations.

The staff and Board are committed to ensuring that Alliance continues to provide a medical home and compassionate care for the working uninsured in our community. We need the continued financial support of our donors to allow Alliance to sustain its critical mission during this time of health care transition. While we all pray that one day everyone in our community will have access to affordable health insurance, until that time comes the staff, volunteers, and supporters of Alliance will continue to live out our calling to “Love Thy Neighbor.”

A Good Match for Tracey

“I came in crying and Dr. McLaurin said, ‘Don’t worry, we will fix you from head to toe.”

Tracey came to Alliance four years ago following the emergency room. She was most surprised to find “a doctor that cares.” At Alliance she has been able to manage her hypertension, but more importantly she has found a place where she feels safe and can share.

“At Alliance I found assurance. I was able to get my medications and referrals to other services.” Then at the suggestion of her doctor, Tracey found Pastoral Care and Counseling to deal with anxiety and issues from the past that impacted her overall health.

“Toby kept encouraging me until I felt comfortable to speak,” shared Tracey. “Before I felt scattered and lost. Now I feel like I finally have roots firmly planted and have started to bloom.” Toby, our Director of Pastoral Care and Counseling, currently meets with Tracey every two weeks to work through her anxiety.

“As Tracey has grown to trust in our care, she has grown to trust herself and her ability to approach adversity differently,” shared Toby. “It is a blessing to watch her transform as she discovers herself in new ways and makes health choices that reflect the fruit of her improved self care.”

“I am so proud of Tracey!” shared Dr. McLaurin. “She truly has come a long way since she became our patient.” Tracey found a perfect match at Alliance. Together with Dr. McLaurin and Toby she can address many issues to improve her overall health and life.