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Free clinic increases staff, operating hours

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

While the number of patients at the Brock Hughes Free Clinic is growing, many others are eligible but don’t know it. Residents of Wythe and Bland counties with no insurance and meeting income guidelines can be treated at the Wytheville office.
According to the clinic’s executive director Karen Brooks, an individual with an income of $20,800 is eligible for services. Also, a family of four with an income of $42,400 meets guidelines for the clinic.
“So many people think the clinic is for the real poor or unemployed,” Brooks stated. “They don’t realize they might qualify. Most college students would be eligible.”
Now in its 13th year of operation, the free clinic is a private, nonprofit organization that provides medical, dental and mental health care and prescription medications at little or no charge to the patient. It serves as a community safety net for the residents of Wythe and Bland counties that can’t afford rapidly rising health insurance premiums and not eligible for Medicaid.
Most of the clinic’s patients have chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease that can be controlled with proper medication. They are assisted in accessing free prescription drugs pharmaceutical manufacturers make available but not all prescribed medications can be accessed through this program.
Funding of the clinic is always a major concern for Brooks. She relies on financial support from the community and grants for operation expenses.
A recent donation from the Wythe-Bland Community Foundation, Brooks noted, was to allow the clinic to expand its hours and add personnel to the staff. She pointed out the funding does not pay for operational expenses.
“I think there’s been some misunderstanding about the grant,” Brooks commented. “The grant was for salaries. We still need money to operate.”
Through the grant, Karen Dalton was hired as the clinic’s nurse with Denise Dunford as assistant coordinator and Karen Steele as receptionist. They joined the clinic staff in May.
Brooks and Dr. Kyndal Beavers were the only paid employees until then.
“These ladies are absolutely exceptional,” Dr. Beavers remarked. “They have welcomed the new patients with open arms.”
The clinic treats between 170 and 180 patients a month, according to Brooks. Of these, she noted, there are 30 to 40 new clients each month.
Patients range in age 18 to 64. The average age is in the 40s.
The additional staff and increased hours of operation also allow for specialty clinics in the four most diagnosed areas – diabetes, hypertension, COPD and depression. Up to 15 patients being treated for any of these ailments can meet together to hear health tips and ways to deal with their illness.
The free clinic is open by appointment only Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at 100 Edgemont Road in the rear of Edgemont Center.
Dental service is another need at the free clinic. Patients are referred to the New River Valley Free Clinic in Christiansburg for such needs.
Brooks pointed out the continued support of Wythe County Community Hospital. The hospital, she stated, contributed more than $260,000 of in-kind services such as MRIs, CAT scans, X-rays and laboratory work.
“We can’t thank the hospital enough,” she added. “We couldn’t do what we do without the support of the hospital.”
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .