The Healing Bridge Clinic celebrated its annual Awareness Banquet Oct. 4 with volunteers, community leaders and citizens contributing to the success of this major fundraiser.
So far in 2018, the clinic has provided much-needed primary healthcare to underinsured residents of Fayette, Coweta and South Fulton counties who are within the 200 percent federal property income level guidelines, allowing for 670 patient visits. In 2017, the clinic provided for 808 patient visits.
The clinic’s mission brings together some 18 medical providers and 100 other volunteers that make possible the twice-a-week clinic. The Healing Bridge Clinic depends upon its community partners, grants and donations from the public to continue its mission. This year, a hypertension program helped patients better understand management of the disease and patients participated in a cooking class, teaching them to develop new and better eating habits.
U.S. Air Force (retired) Major General Leonard M. Randolph, Jr., M.D., was keynote speaker for the event. He discussed the status of healthcare in the U.S. and suggested that neighborhoods can improve healthcare outcomes by educating residents about healthy living, encouraging them to live active lives and avoiding tobacco products. He praised the steady growth of the local Healing Bridge Clinic since 2009 and the activism of its medical providers and volunteers.
This message was echoed by Clinic Board Member Steve Hanes: “Dr. Randolph challenged the clinic to tailor our service to our neighborhood, the demographics of our patients, not necessarily the demographics of our geographic area. This concept is critical to ensuring that our limited resources are employed to realize the maximum benefit for our patients.”
Fayette County Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Peter Harvey told the Awareness Banquet that his volunteerism with the Healing Bridge Clinic has been a rewarding experience. “The gratitude of the patients – you can’t get that anywhere else.”
Attendees also witnessed how contact with the Healing Bridge Clinic can be an impetus for patients to improve their lives and the lives of their families. A video told the story of a young mother, a former patient, who, through the clinic, was able to find a better job and who has hope for her own future and that of her son.
Board Member MaryClaire Dangel-Palmer said, “Guests at this year’s Healing Bridge Awareness Banquet were witness to the impact of ‘community’ leading the direction of the heath care of its residents. Increased Clinic hours and visits, implementation of a research project to improve chronic hypertension, and the celebration of a Clinic patient well on her way to a bright future highlighted the evening.”
The Healing Bridge Clinic has volunteer opportunities and donations may be made by visiting the clinic website, healingbridgeclinic.org. Also visit their Facebook page. The organization’s next fundraising opportunity will be its Spring Golf Classic, May 1, 2019 at Braelinn Country Club.
Mike Conaway, executive director
Healing Bridge Clinic
Peachtree City, Ga.
