by Ryan R. Ennis
FernCare
Serving the Uninsured for Over Ten Years
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N OPERATION SINCE AUGUST 2010, THE FERNCARE FREE CLINIC’S MISSION is to “to enhance lives and champion thriving communities by providing no-cost health services and advocacy for medically uninsured people.” It is one of only three free medical clinics in Oakland County.
WHILE ITS ESSENTIAL MISSION has stayed the same, FernCare has changed and grown in many ways. Originally, it was a mobile clinic housed in the Kulick Community Center. Open only on Saturdays, licensed staff and other volunteers would bring in and set up donated medical equipment to help the public. Sponsored by Credit Union One, the clinic eventually found another home at 459 E. 9 Mile Rd., where it expanded its hours and services. When the Credit Union sold the property four years ago, it relocated again to its present location at 751 E. 9 Mile Rd., Suite 2. Anyone without health coverage between the ages of 19 and 64 may use FernCare’s services. According to Dan Martin, FernCare Executive Director, “Ninety percent of our patients come from Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.” With exposure from the Internet, the clinic services clients who “make trips here from as far south as the middle of Ohio and as far north as Traverse City.” To receive treatment, Martin adds, “You don’t even have to be a resident of the U.S.” International travelers needing medical assistance have sought out the clinic’s programs. Some of the non-emergency health programs at the clinic include maintenance care of chronic illnesses, routine checkups, diagnosis of everyday illnesses, dispensing of generic medications, and basic lab testing. Coordinators can also help clients with enrolling in the Prescription Assistance Program, Affordable Care Act Insurance Exchange and the Healthy Michigan plans.
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2021 FERNDALE MEMORIAL EDITION
FernCare can offer treatment and support for other matters. Not sure about which diet to follow based on your medical history? Want to set personal goals? Desire to stop smoking? Feeling numbness in your hands? At the clinic, clients can receive one-to-one smoking cessa-tion counseling, nutrition counseling, acupuncture and wellness/ life coaching. Need a book to ease boredom? FernCare also maintains the Little Lending Library at E. 9 Mile and Hilton, where people can exchange free reading materials. Three part-time employees and a budding staff of over 60 volunteers with varying experiences and professional backgrounds ensure the clinic can continue to provide a wide range of services. “Even if we don’t offer it,” says Martin, “We are happy to point people in the right direction. We enjoy connecting people to other safety net systems.”
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O MEET PATIENTS’ NEEDS, THE HEALTH FACILITY RELIES ON INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS, FUNDRAISERS, AND GRANTS. Naturally, the health care personnel would not be able to function without appropriate equipment to run tests and diagnose ailments. As a result, “FernCare takes in used equipment through World Medical Relief” and other sources “that we repurpose for our patients,” states Martin. Martin had been employed as Executive Director for just two weeks when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Unlike some other facilities, FernCare never fully closed during the initial lockdown and only stopped accepting new patients for a month. As Martin secured personal protection equipment to protect staff and patients, he facilitated changes in protocols. Increasing phone consultations and issuing 60-day prescriptions reduced the number of people having to come into the clinic. These practices and other forms of remote case management are referred to as telehealth. Also called telemedicine, telehealth enables many patients to obtain a favorable level of health care while practicing social distancing. While accessing electronic medical records, doctors provide care to patients through phone calls, video chats, email and file exchanges, and chat messages. Health professionals can use any of the forementioned communication methods to frequently check in with patients whose vitals are being monitored by devices worn at home. n To set up an appointment, call the FernCare office phone number at 248672-4067. If you are interested in volunteering, you may submit an application at ferncare.org. The 2021 medical clinic schedule is first and third Saturdays 9:00 A.M. to Noon; second and fourth Thursdays 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.; and second and fourth Mondays 9:00 A.M. to Noon (new patients only).
