What began as a dream in the heart of a local physician more than 10 years ago has now become a welcome reality to uninsured and underinsured people in Yankton and the surrounding area.
Free health care is available through Servant Hearts Clinic to those who don’t have the resources to pay for the medical services and basic prescriptions they need.
Dr. Mark Mabee says the idea began taking shape for him when he and fellow local providers recognized the gap in health care coverage.
“Through our medical practice, Jim Frerk PA-C, Dr. Jeff Johnson and I often saw people who didn’t seek medical care they needed because they couldn’t afford it,” Mabee says.
“Quite a while ago the desire to provide medical services to those people really took root in my heart. I knew my pastor had a strong desire for mission work in the local community. That strengthened my desire to find a way to tangibly be the hands and feet of Jesus to people in Yankton and the surrounding area.”
For several years, Mabee and his fellow doctors talked about how they might make their dream of a free clinic a reality. In spite of their passion for the idea, they seemed unable to work past their thoughts and discussion.
“People often have great ideas, but you have to invest the time and sweat to make things happen,” Mabee says. “From my perspective, it was God who finally brought this together about three years ago. Dr. Johnson came back from a mission trip to Ethiopia, asking his pastor if they couldn’t do something similar here. That led him to talk to Jim Frerk and then to myself, and suddenly we had about 10 people who were really excited about this idea.”
After about 12 months of detailed planning and preparation and recruitment of additional volunteers, the team launched the clinic, which is open the first and third Monday of each month.
One key player in the final formation of their plans was retired nurse Marilyn Lofflin. “I was part of a discussion about plans for the clinic and it was mentioned that they needed someone to pull all the elements of the clinic together,” Lofflin says. “I talked to Jim and told him that, if they had a place for me, I would like to help.”
Lofflin’s offer led her to coordinate the clinic setup, volunteers and all things administrative at the clinic. She says the dedicated team of volunteers involved in the work make it possible every month.
A major step in implementing the clinic was finding a suitable location. Yankton’s Regional Technical Education Center (RTEC) now houses their office and temporary exam rooms. Funding has come from Yankton’s Calvary Baptist and Emmanuel churches as well as private donations.
“That’s our only source of funding,” Lofflin says. “We completely rely on benevolent donations. None of the clinic staff or volunteers are paid anything. All funds are used to provide medical supplies and prescriptions. We also use a prescription program WalMart offers so that anyone with a $4.00 prescription can receive it free through our clinic.
“We can’t offer x-rays, but we do offer limited lab work here,” Lofflin adds. “If someone needs additional medical treatment, we refer them to a clinic where they can receive that help. Our office is here as well as our supply room for all the materials we use to set up our clinic. We have such great volunteers and everyone works together to make it all go very smoothly.”
Lofflin stressed that the clinic often isn’t able to assist those with high cost prescription medications for mental health issues and other needs.
“That’s just beyond our resources,” she says.
Approximately 25 patients visit the clinic every month. In addition to basic medical care, patients have access to pastoral care and mental health evaluation. As needed, patients are referred to social services agencies that offer resources for other needs.
“Many times, people think uninsured or underinsured people are deadbeats or people who don’t have a job,” Lofflin says. “What we see at the clinic are many single parents. Some of them can only get part time jobs that don’t offer any benefits. Often they work at two part time jobs but don’t earn enough to pay for health care.”
An additional dilemma for many single parents is the fact that being sick means missing work and a shorter paycheck. If they don’t see a doctor and are unable to work, they risk losing their job.
“Most of our patients are working adults,” Lofflin says. “We do have a few seniors who come to the clinic. Medicare premiums are also on the rise, putting pressure on seniors to manage on a fixed income.”
Patients who come to the clinic don’t need to prove their need through income verification. They simply need to provide their name and address and proof of identification.
Dr. Mabee notes that Servant Hearts Clinic owes a debt of gratitude to many people, but especially to Clinic with A Heart, which has operated in Lincoln, NE, for the past eight years. Organizers there were quick to share their By-laws, policies and other organizational input to help make Servant Hearts a reality.
“They gave us the wheel and 90 percent of the spokes, then we just had to make it our own,” Mabee says. “It was God’s timing that brought it all together. It’s our hope that the Yankton community will support us with prayer so that we’re able to continue serving the medical needs of our community in a way that honors and respects people and honors and serves God. We also hope they’ll spread the word to those who need these services.”
Those who offer financial support help pay for basic medical office supplies and prescription supplies. The clinic’s website at www.servantheartsclinic.org also outlines how individuals can offer volunteer services, professional services, serve as sponsors and make donations.
“There’s a national association for free clinics,” Mabee says. “We joined that group. They have conferences every year and are a wealth of information. I don’t know if the government can cure the health care issues with Obamacare. I’m not sure they can. You see more and more of this type of health service in communities. There’s a big need.”
Servant Hearts Clinic is open from 5:30-8 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month at RTEC, 2100 West 21st St. Additional information about the clinic is available at the website, by calling 605-760-2986 or by sending an e-mail to info@servantheartsclinic.org.
