Panama City church health care center a Maguire ministry

Aug 16, 2005
BARBARA DENMAN
Florida Baptist Convention

PANAMA CITY (FBC)–Examining Matthew 25:35, members of St. Andrew Baptist Church in Panama City decided something was missing in the mission of their congregation.

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The church sponsored a food pantry, clothing ministry, pregnancy crisis center and regularly visited local jails. But the admonition of “when I was sick,” continued to haunt them, said church member Carole Summey.

Summey, a registered nurse, and church member Curtis Williams, a retired cardiologist, began to envision how they could impact the Panama City community by providing health care to economically disadvantaged persons of Bay County.

Community health statistics drove their vision. The Bay County death rate is 21 percent above the state’s death rate. The number of people diagnosed with cancer is 24 percent higher than the state average; heart disease is 37 percent greater than the state average; and chronic lung diseases stand at 45 percent above the state average. An estimated 30,000 people have no medical insurance and do not qualify for Medicare.

In June of last year, the church opened the non-profit St. Andrew Community Medical Center to treat Bay County’s physically needy. Originally, the clinic was open to see patients on Monday night. Now the clinic is open three days a week.

“There are huge unmet medical needs here,” said Williams. He attributes the needs to the lack of preventive medical services available to persons with no health insurance.

Almost immediately after opening the health clinic, another church member, retired dentist Art Zediker, offered to start treating persons with dental problems. Now the St. Andrew clinic is the only free dental clinic in the Panhandle. More than 480 persons are on the waiting list to be seen by the volunteer dentists who are so overwhelmed they can handle only emergency needs.

“I love the Lord,” said Zediker. “There’s nothing that gives you greater joy than joining God where He is at work. And I promise you. God is at work here.”

Located in a renovated house behind the St. Andrew Church near Highway 98, the clinic includes three medical and two dental examination rooms and a pharmacy. Patients are asked if they would like to visit with trained counselors who seek to address the patient’s spiritual well-being. A goal is to share the plan of salvation with each new patient.

Dental hygienist Virginia Holmes is among several dozen volunteers dispensing free dental and medical treatment and pharmaceuticals at the St. Andrew Baptist Church medical clinic to more than a thousand economically disadvantaged Panama City residents. FBC photo by Ken Touchton

A staff of volunteer physicians, dentists, nurses and assistants provide general medical and dental care for non-emergency conditions. Their patient list has grown to more than 500 medical-based and 400 dental-based cases.

To qualify, patients must be uninsured, have a monthly income level of or equal to 150 percent of the Federal poverty level and not be an active participant in any Medicare, Medicaid or Medical Needy Program.

The clinic is classified under Florida law as a faith-based health care provider program, which allows the volunteer professionals sovereign immunity from malpractice lawsuits.

Dawn Gafford, 38, of Panama City Beach, works at the nearby Navy base as a civilian employee but does not qualify to receive health insurance. “If it wasn’t for this clinic I would have to go to the hospital every time I had an asthma attack. This clinic is providing a great service to the community.”

“I was dying,” said an emaciated Sandra Baskin, a patient who had lost 100 pounds in the past six months from diabetes. Because a relative had given them a home, the family, with no health insurance, couldn’t qualify for Medicare. Unable to afford the medication, she tried to eat right but continued to lose weight and strength. The clinic has helped Baskin receive free medication and keeps close tabs on her. “Now I can hold my grandchildren. This clinic literally saved my life.”

“We have seen zillions of miracles that brought us to this place,” said Summey, clinic director. “It is obviously a ‘God project’ and not anything I could have done by myself. It was inspired by the Holy Spirit. We are grateful every night that we can work and help people who are in need.”

Gifts to the Maguire State Mission Offering have assisted in the operation of the clinic, which relies on gifts and donations.

Across Florida, church-based health centers are seeking to provide free primary medical care, screening, diagnostic services and treatment to the neediest of the needy. Some centers offer dental care as well.

Last year Florida Baptist churches and associations provided health care totaling more than $6 million dollars to 43,000 economically disadvantaged patients.

All of these ministries operate with grants, gifts and the help of volunteer doctors and nurses. Gifts to the Maguire State Missions Offering provide financial assistance to these church-based clinics to underwrite some operational costs and purchase needed medications and medical supplies.

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