The Heritage Community Foundation presented a $5,000 grant Aug. 31 to the Good Shepherd Clinic and its executive director, Chelsea Folds.
The funds will be used to purchase new medical equipment so that the clinic can better serve patients. It is currently in the process of expanding the nursing/triage area from one room to two. The funds will be used to buy a new centrifuge, rolling blood pressure monitor and cart, digital scale, two professional grade thermometers, and two pulse oximeters. Lastly, an AED (automated external defibrillator) will be bought for the clinic to have on hand in case of medical emergency.
Each of these items is essential to patient care and to the clinic’s overall mission to provide quality healthcare to the uninsured in its community.
Founded in 2000 by Dr. Thomas Kelley and Rev. Dr. Jimmy Lewis, Good Shepherd Clinic is a 501c3 nonprofit organization located in Morrow. Its mission is to provide low- or no-cost primary medical care to uninsured residents of Clayton County who have limited financial resources.
“The goal of Good Shepherd Clinic is to witness to the ministry of Christ by providing quality health care in an atmosphere of dignity and respect for all,” according to a statement.
The clinic offers free health services or discounted health services to those who qualify. It is now open three days a week, staffed primarily by medical and administrative volunteers, and has the capacity to see upwards of 3,000 patients per year.
In addition to acute care, the clinic acts as the primary health care home for many of its patients, providing ongoing treatment for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and COPD. It strives to enroll all of its qualified patients into prescription assistance programs so that they will have access to necessary medications at low or no cost.
For more information on how to apply for a grant with Heritage Community Foundation, make a donation or volunteer, visit www.heritagecommunityfoundation.org or contact executive director Rocky Davis at 770-478-8881.
Front, left to right: Dr. Tulasi Vanapalli, volunteer physician; Tilder Harris, board member and volunteer; Chelsea Folds, executive director; Angie Bell, board chairwoman.
Back, left to right: Sheri Dockweiler; Jenny Smith; Pamela Cisneros; Jim Phillips, executive committee member; Stacy Hammons.
