Nancy Taylor: Greene Publishing, Inc.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church offered their second Shepherd’s Hands free medical clinic on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. St. Mary’s clinic is a satellite clinic of Shepherd’s Hands of the Suwannee Valley, Inc. This clinic is staffed entirely by volunteers who have all been trained by the Madison County Health Department. However, many of the volunteers are also registered or licensed medical professionals.
Melva Morfaw is the clinic director. St. Mary’s pastor, Rev. Joe Boyles asked her to lead this ministry because she worked with a free clinic in Los Angeles, Ca. for several years before coming to Florida.
Nita Fico, ARNP and Brenda Newman, ARNP, CNM (midwife) were two of the volunteers who conducted needed examinations. Fico is able to order medical tests and prescribe medication when needed.
Juan Botino, EMT, is able to provide initial checks on clients, and he also serves as a Spanish language interpreter when needed. Botino feels this is one way he can give back to the community.
The volunteers came from several different churches besides St. Mary’s. Two additional churches represented on Feb. 21 included Madison First Baptist Church and Lee United Methodist Church.
Voulunteers discuss the day’s plans. Pictured, from left to right, are: Trish Blair; Juan Botino, EMT; and Nita Fico, ARNP.
Clients who qualify to use the clinic must have no medical insurance, and must fall within certain income levels (200 percent of the 2017 poverty level). Registration for individuals seeking services is required, and is held at 5:30 p.m. on the day of the clinic. Individuals are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
Juanita Bronson, one of the clinic’s clients on Feb. 21, learned of the clinic when she saw a flier about Shepherd’s Hands. Others have learned about it from others who told them about the free clinic.
Rev. Boyles and the current volunteers all hope this becomes a monthly service for those who need a helping hand because they can’t afford doctor visits.
For more information about Shepherd’s Hands and future free clinics, contact St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at (850) 973-8338.