Thursday, June 28, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Spirituality and Health
I listen to NPR every morning - and this morning, on my way to work, Talk of Iowa focused on spirituality and its affect on health. Apparently, a study done last year "found an 18% lower mortality level for patients who had higher rates of spirituality or religiosity." According to Charity Nebbe (and based on what I remember from the broadcast!), that's pretty close to the same percentage of benefit that you get with changes in your diet and exercise.
As Christians in healthcare, we KNOW that faith makes a big difference. We see it every day.
But it sure is nice to have some scientific support!
You can check out the broadcast here: http://news.iowapublicradio.org/post/religionspirituality-and-its-impacts-physical-health.
As Christians in healthcare, we KNOW that faith makes a big difference. We see it every day.
But it sure is nice to have some scientific support!
You can check out the broadcast here: http://news.iowapublicradio.org/post/religionspirituality-and-its-impacts-physical-health.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Dental Grand Opening
Dear friends,
Last night, we had our Dental Grand Opening. What a great opportunity to share our new service with the community! We didn't have a lot of foot traffic - maybe 50 people total - but we had 5-6 dentists and several hygienists stop by. We're hoping that some of these professionals become volunteers. Praise God!
The Gazette did a great article about the event, and KCRG also ran a story about the new dental service on the evening news. Since then, our phones have been ringing non-stop with people wanting to get an appointment. We began Thursday morning with 120 people on our wait list - since then, we have added 50-60 more patients, all needing to see the dentist. Our waiting list is now 3-4 months.
The dental needs in our community are pretty dire.
Friends, it is hard to tell a person in pain that we won't be able to see them for 3-4 months, and yet - as I remind myself continually! - we cannot allow ourselves to become discouraged. Every person who gets an appointment gets the assistance they need - and hopefully they receive a small measure of God's loving presence and peace. Every patient who is put on our waiting list is given hope and assurance that one day they too will be given an appointment - and, hopefully, they too receive some comfort simply by sharing their situation with the staff or volunteer who takes their call.
Our God is bigger than the dental needs in our community. HE knows the need, and HE can meet it.
So, as I go home this Friday afternoon, after two long days of difficult and heart-wrenching stories, I have that hope: Our God is BIG enough.
Please keep this new clinic in your prayers. Pray especially for dentists, assistants, and hygienists.
Sharon
PS:
Gazette article:
KCRG newscast: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Clinic-in-Cedar-Rapids-Opens-Free-Dental-Care-Facility-150116315.html
OR just go to our facebook site!
Last night, we had our Dental Grand Opening. What a great opportunity to share our new service with the community! We didn't have a lot of foot traffic - maybe 50 people total - but we had 5-6 dentists and several hygienists stop by. We're hoping that some of these professionals become volunteers. Praise God!
The Gazette did a great article about the event, and KCRG also ran a story about the new dental service on the evening news. Since then, our phones have been ringing non-stop with people wanting to get an appointment. We began Thursday morning with 120 people on our wait list - since then, we have added 50-60 more patients, all needing to see the dentist. Our waiting list is now 3-4 months.
The dental needs in our community are pretty dire.
Friends, it is hard to tell a person in pain that we won't be able to see them for 3-4 months, and yet - as I remind myself continually! - we cannot allow ourselves to become discouraged. Every person who gets an appointment gets the assistance they need - and hopefully they receive a small measure of God's loving presence and peace. Every patient who is put on our waiting list is given hope and assurance that one day they too will be given an appointment - and, hopefully, they too receive some comfort simply by sharing their situation with the staff or volunteer who takes their call.
Our God is bigger than the dental needs in our community. HE knows the need, and HE can meet it.
So, as I go home this Friday afternoon, after two long days of difficult and heart-wrenching stories, I have that hope: Our God is BIG enough.
Please keep this new clinic in your prayers. Pray especially for dentists, assistants, and hygienists.
Sharon
PS:
Gazette article:
http://thegazette.com/2012/05/03/new-dental-services-offered-at-his-hands-free-medical-clinic/
KCRG newscast: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Clinic-in-Cedar-Rapids-Opens-Free-Dental-Care-Facility-150116315.html
OR just go to our facebook site!
Monday, April 16, 2012
A thought for today....
Hello all,
As I write this, I can hear the pounding and thumping sounds of workers in the Fourth Bay (the un-renovated section of the building). They are tearing out old cabinets, taking down some walls, and basically gutting the entire area.
We are so excited to begin the program that goes in this room: the Healthy Living Program. I've blogged about this before, but in short it's a program that focuses on classes and education in an effort to encourage our patients to live healthier lives.
Honestly, sometimes I feel a little hypocritical when I promote this. Why should I encourage patients to make healthier choices when I know, for a fact, that my family doesn't? I have the same excuse that everyone have: life is so busy - who has time to exercise or eat healthier? It is very hard to make changes that focus on personal health - especially when you already have ingrained, unhealthy habits.
But here's the difference: when an insured person eats poorly and their health suffers (high blood pressure, acid reflux, weight issues, diabetes, etc.), they go to the doctor and are sternly told they need to change their habits, but in the end they receive what they need to manage those conditions: pills, insulin, etc. They can afford to be unhealthy, because their insurance will cover the gap.
For our patients, the uninsured, the stakes are much higher. Bad habits lead to the chronic health conditions mentioned above; treatment for those conditions have costs that people without insurance simply cannot afford to pay while still meeting their other obligations (rent, utilities, food for the family, etc.). The clinic can fill the gap, to a point, but can't help in every case with every cost. But if the patient doesn't get the necessary treatment, the results can be very serious, even deadly.
We already know that changing one's lifestyle to be healthier isn't always fun, and it is never easy, but it is crucial in order to have a life that is less reliant on expensive maintenance medications. And that is why we are promoting this program.
Who knows? Maybe as a result, my family will begin to make healthier choices, too. Wouldn't that be a win-win??!
Prayer Requests for the Healthy Living Program:
As I write this, I can hear the pounding and thumping sounds of workers in the Fourth Bay (the un-renovated section of the building). They are tearing out old cabinets, taking down some walls, and basically gutting the entire area.
We are so excited to begin the program that goes in this room: the Healthy Living Program. I've blogged about this before, but in short it's a program that focuses on classes and education in an effort to encourage our patients to live healthier lives.
Honestly, sometimes I feel a little hypocritical when I promote this. Why should I encourage patients to make healthier choices when I know, for a fact, that my family doesn't? I have the same excuse that everyone have: life is so busy - who has time to exercise or eat healthier? It is very hard to make changes that focus on personal health - especially when you already have ingrained, unhealthy habits.
But here's the difference: when an insured person eats poorly and their health suffers (high blood pressure, acid reflux, weight issues, diabetes, etc.), they go to the doctor and are sternly told they need to change their habits, but in the end they receive what they need to manage those conditions: pills, insulin, etc. They can afford to be unhealthy, because their insurance will cover the gap.
For our patients, the uninsured, the stakes are much higher. Bad habits lead to the chronic health conditions mentioned above; treatment for those conditions have costs that people without insurance simply cannot afford to pay while still meeting their other obligations (rent, utilities, food for the family, etc.). The clinic can fill the gap, to a point, but can't help in every case with every cost. But if the patient doesn't get the necessary treatment, the results can be very serious, even deadly.
We already know that changing one's lifestyle to be healthier isn't always fun, and it is never easy, but it is crucial in order to have a life that is less reliant on expensive maintenance medications. And that is why we are promoting this program.
Who knows? Maybe as a result, my family will begin to make healthier choices, too. Wouldn't that be a win-win??!
Prayer Requests for the Healthy Living Program:
- that the renovations will go smoothly (and inexpensively!)
- that patients will be eager to enroll
- that we can find partners to teach classes/underwrite class incentives
- that God will use the program to change lives
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Fourth Bay Clean Up!
You can see by the pictures that a lot of work was done! Some things were moved to the basement, some moved to storage, and others simply given away.
We are so excited about the Healthy Living Program. Too often, our providers end up treating patients for issues that could have been prevented, like high blood pressure, hypertension, and obesity. We also have found that there are few educational options for patients newly-diagnosed with diabetes. The Healthy Living Program will focus on preventing some of these diseases, and educating patients about diseases they have.
But the room has to be renovated first! So, a special thank you to everyone who helped out!
Sharon
Friday, March 16, 2012
Miracles in the Dental Clinic
I wanted to share a small miracle that happened today.
We opened our Dental Clinic on Feb. 24, and since then we've had 7 clinics and assisted over 20 people with their dental needs. As I write this, we are finishing up a dental clinic in which both chairs are being used: one for the dentist for dental work, and the other for cleanings.
One thing we are learning is that with dental - even free dental - there is a high no-show rate. We confirm with patients one to two days before their appointment, and even call them if they are late on the appointment day - but still people simply don't show.
This morning, the last patient of the day didn't show. We called her, and she had completely forgotten. Janet, the supervisor for the morning, said 'okay' and started cleaning up the clinic.
A few minutes later, a man - Ted - walked through the doors. He was on the dental waiting list and wanted to know how much longer he had to wait. I gave him the standard spiel - 'We schedule according to need, our Dental Coordinator will give you a call' - and then asked what his need was. Ted shared that he had an abscess in one tooth, completely rotted out, and was in a lot of pain. He pointed to his cheek and said, "This area is completely hard. I just want to know what's going on."
I started thinking that we'd need to get him in the medical clinic, but then Bethany, the receptionist that morning, reminded me of the cancellation we just had. I tracked down Janet and asked if we could get Ted in. Right now, he is sitting in the chair, getting the assistance he needs.
How like God to take the inconvenience of a no-show patient and turn it into a blessing! And the blessing has been multiplied - Ted was blessed, I and the other volunteers were blessed by seeing everything work out, and hopefully now YOU are blessed by seeing God's hand at work.
Have a great weekend!
Sharon
We opened our Dental Clinic on Feb. 24, and since then we've had 7 clinics and assisted over 20 people with their dental needs. As I write this, we are finishing up a dental clinic in which both chairs are being used: one for the dentist for dental work, and the other for cleanings.
One thing we are learning is that with dental - even free dental - there is a high no-show rate. We confirm with patients one to two days before their appointment, and even call them if they are late on the appointment day - but still people simply don't show.
This morning, the last patient of the day didn't show. We called her, and she had completely forgotten. Janet, the supervisor for the morning, said 'okay' and started cleaning up the clinic.
A few minutes later, a man - Ted - walked through the doors. He was on the dental waiting list and wanted to know how much longer he had to wait. I gave him the standard spiel - 'We schedule according to need, our Dental Coordinator will give you a call' - and then asked what his need was. Ted shared that he had an abscess in one tooth, completely rotted out, and was in a lot of pain. He pointed to his cheek and said, "This area is completely hard. I just want to know what's going on."
I started thinking that we'd need to get him in the medical clinic, but then Bethany, the receptionist that morning, reminded me of the cancellation we just had. I tracked down Janet and asked if we could get Ted in. Right now, he is sitting in the chair, getting the assistance he needs.
How like God to take the inconvenience of a no-show patient and turn it into a blessing! And the blessing has been multiplied - Ted was blessed, I and the other volunteers were blessed by seeing everything work out, and hopefully now YOU are blessed by seeing God's hand at work.
Have a great weekend!
Sharon
Saturday, March 3, 2012
State’s mental health reform may ease Linn’s budget woes
State’s mental health reform may ease Linn’s budget woes
Interesting article about mental health issues in Linn County. His Hands Clinic refers a lot of patients to the Abbe Center (referenced in the article). We have many patients come to us for depression and/or anxiety issues. Often, these patients need the ongoing care of a single psychiatrist, something we simply cannot provide at the free clinic. But we help where we can.
Interesting article about mental health issues in Linn County. His Hands Clinic refers a lot of patients to the Abbe Center (referenced in the article). We have many patients come to us for depression and/or anxiety issues. Often, these patients need the ongoing care of a single psychiatrist, something we simply cannot provide at the free clinic. But we help where we can.
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