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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Good Samaritan Clinic is hosting its next free medical clinic Saturday, Jan. 28, at HomewardBound homeless shelter, 2853 North Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon.
Started five months ago by Downtown Vineyard Church, the clinic is free and open to anyone lacking health insurance.
Previous clinics have been held at Catholic Outreach, 245 S. First St., and at the Downtown Vineyard Church, 734 Main St., #4.
Lloyd Davis, a behavior health department supervisor at Community Hospital, approached Downtown Vineyard pastor Paul Watson about opening a clinic under the umbrella of the church, a 501c3 nonprofit.
More than 100 medical workers have volunteered their time at the clinics, held monthly since August — except for December when there were two clinics.
“Initially, we begged our friends who are doctors and nurses,” Davis said. “The word kept spreading. Before we knew it we had a group of volunteers — those with the same passion to deliver health care.”
Good Samaritan hopes to find someone with that same “passion,” with the financing to open a permanent brick-and-mortar clinic by March, Davis said. The clinic would likely be open three days a week, or a few hours each day, he said.
So far, supplies have been donated by Community Hospital, Mesa Medical Supply, various agencies, individuals and Project Hope. The organization sold Christmas ornaments as a fundraiser to purchase prescriptions.
“We've served well over 250 people so far,” Davis said.
Volunteers at the clinic have treated ear infections, bronchitis, strep throat, frost bite, pneumonia, strains, sprains, and mental health problems, Davis said.
“One lady was having trouble seeing. Her retina was getting ready to detach. We got her to the doctor immediately and saved her vision,” organizer and church member Brian Watson said.
Another community clinic — Marillac — was founded in 1988, and provides medical, dental, medications, and integrated mental health care for uninsured and underinsured Mesa County residents with low and moderate incomes. Although free to the homeless, most patients pay for services on a sliding scale fee structure.
Marillac external executive director Steve Hurd said he would like to see how the two organizations can collaborate and complement one another.
Good Samaritan is reaching a population that is typically very difficult to reach, Hurd said.
Marillac eligibility specialists attended one free clinic so far to provide information about Marillac's services, he said.
“Marillac has access to a tremendous number of resources like discounted labs, radiology,” Hurd said.
People with complex, or chronic illnesses may need the ongoing care and comprehensive services that Marillac offers, he said.
“For us it's essential to address psycho-social issues that relate to health status,” Hurd said.
For example, an unheated apartment would be considered a health issue and Marillac staff works to connect patients with resources and agencies that can help, Hurd said.
Twenty-two percent of Mesa County residents are without health insurance, and the free clinic provides people another health care option, Davis said.
“Because of the great job (Marillac) is doing, there's a wait period. We can see some of those people in the interim prior to getting enrolled at Marillac,” Davis said.
Started five months ago by Downtown Vineyard Church, the clinic is free and open to anyone lacking health insurance.
Previous clinics have been held at Catholic Outreach, 245 S. First St., and at the Downtown Vineyard Church, 734 Main St., #4.
Lloyd Davis, a behavior health department supervisor at Community Hospital, approached Downtown Vineyard pastor Paul Watson about opening a clinic under the umbrella of the church, a 501c3 nonprofit.
More than 100 medical workers have volunteered their time at the clinics, held monthly since August — except for December when there were two clinics.
“Initially, we begged our friends who are doctors and nurses,” Davis said. “The word kept spreading. Before we knew it we had a group of volunteers — those with the same passion to deliver health care.”
Good Samaritan hopes to find someone with that same “passion,” with the financing to open a permanent brick-and-mortar clinic by March, Davis said. The clinic would likely be open three days a week, or a few hours each day, he said.
So far, supplies have been donated by Community Hospital, Mesa Medical Supply, various agencies, individuals and Project Hope. The organization sold Christmas ornaments as a fundraiser to purchase prescriptions.
“We've served well over 250 people so far,” Davis said.
Volunteers at the clinic have treated ear infections, bronchitis, strep throat, frost bite, pneumonia, strains, sprains, and mental health problems, Davis said.
“One lady was having trouble seeing. Her retina was getting ready to detach. We got her to the doctor immediately and saved her vision,” organizer and church member Brian Watson said.
Another community clinic — Marillac — was founded in 1988, and provides medical, dental, medications, and integrated mental health care for uninsured and underinsured Mesa County residents with low and moderate incomes. Although free to the homeless, most patients pay for services on a sliding scale fee structure.
Marillac external executive director Steve Hurd said he would like to see how the two organizations can collaborate and complement one another.
Good Samaritan is reaching a population that is typically very difficult to reach, Hurd said.
Marillac eligibility specialists attended one free clinic so far to provide information about Marillac's services, he said.
“Marillac has access to a tremendous number of resources like discounted labs, radiology,” Hurd said.
People with complex, or chronic illnesses may need the ongoing care and comprehensive services that Marillac offers, he said.
“For us it's essential to address psycho-social issues that relate to health status,” Hurd said.
For example, an unheated apartment would be considered a health issue and Marillac staff works to connect patients with resources and agencies that can help, Hurd said.
Twenty-two percent of Mesa County residents are without health insurance, and the free clinic provides people another health care option, Davis said.
“Because of the great job (Marillac) is doing, there's a wait period. We can see some of those people in the interim prior to getting enrolled at Marillac,” Davis said.
