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2013 COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT
Clinic with a Heart provides life-saving assistance “The clinic was truly a godsend,” says Michale Junker. “I’m glad that I was referred that day. The medical and dental experts saved my life. One more day could very well have been my last.” Founded to May 2003, Clinic with a Heart serves the uninsured and underinsured, providing free health care for medical, dental, vision, hearing, physical therapy, chiropractic, mental health and spiritual needs. Bryan Health is one of 11 designated mission teams. One of these regular clinics changed the course of Michale’s life in September 2013. “I originally went to a local urgent care in August because I was having trouble swallowing. I was referred to the emergency room where I was diagnosed with a salivary stone,” Michale explains. “I went home but several weeks later it got worse, so I headed to the Clinic with a Heart, hoping they could find out what was wrong.” A few of Michale’s friends were concerned that it may be linked to a dental problem. As a result, she was seen by the dental team at Clinic with a Heart. “While the dental team did find a decayed tooth, they also said they had never seen anything like my condition,” says Michale. “They referred me to the medical team at Clinic with a Heart, and those three doctors assessed my situation immediately!” The medical team called the Emergency Department at Bryan West Campus to let them know that Michale needed emergency surgery and was on her way to the hospital. With one abscess under her chin and another expanding down the left side of her neck and swelling behind the ear and into the top portion of her chest, swelling was beginning to restrict Michale’s breathing. The medical staff would need to work quickly. Shortly after Michale was admitted to the ER, her first surgery was completed. Another surgery was performed 24 hours later to remove teeth believed to be responsible for the infection, and drain plugs were used for draining fluid from the infected areas. Following a four-day stay at Bryan, Michale was released to recover at home, with a dose of antibiotics and a vitamin regimen. On her way to a complete recovery, Michale is thankful
Clinic with a Heart executive director Teresa Harms (left) and Bryan team leaders Judy Burke, RN, and Judy Zager, RN, are among those who serve our community with free health care for the uninsured and underinsured. for a second chance at life. “I was very lucky to find such intuitive doctors at the Clinic with a Heart, and that they got me to the Bryan team,” Michale says. “Please let all the volunteers and staff know how much I appreciate what they do.” n
For information about Bryan Health’s partnership with Clinic with a Heart, visit clinicwithaheart.org. To learn how you can support the work of Bryan Health, please call the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605.