A CALL TO HOPE
To address the growing need to care for the uninsured, the Seminole County Health Planning Partnership (SCHPP) has encouraged the expansion of Shepherd’s Hope to Seminole County. Shepherd’s Hope, Inc. is committed to increasing access to health care through partnerships with area hospitals, the local health department, social service agencies and area church congregations.
The Background of Shepherd's Hope:
Shepherd's Hope, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization created in 1997 by the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando. Since then Shepherd's Hope has opened eight health centers throughout Central Florida, operating 13 evening clinics per week. The centers are staffed by over 1400 volunteers and have provided more than 50,000 patient visits. Shepherd’s Hope is governed by a committed board of directors, and has a long standing history of community partnerships and collaborations.
The Longwood Shepherd's Hope Health Center:
The Longwood Shepherd’s Hope Health Center, to be located in the Fairmont Plaza in Longwood, will serve as a free medical clinic for low-income, uninsured Seminole County residents. All evening clinics will be staffed completely by volunteer medical professionals. Once fully operational, volunteers will provide 4000+ free medical visits per year. In addition, Shepherd’s Hope seeks to staff at least one day-time clinic with retired, licensed medical providers. During the day, OB/GYN services will be provided at the center through a collaborative partnership with the Seminole County Health Department. Diagnostic testing services will be donated by area hospitals including Florida Hospital Altamonte and Orlando Regional Healthcare South Seminole Hospital.
Longwood Shepherd’s Hope Health Center will be in the same shopping complex as The Sharing Center where low income Seminole County residents find food, clothing, financial assistance and case management services.
The Health Center, through an in-kind partnership with Holy Cross Lutheran Church, is currently undergoing renovation scheduled for completion by November 2006. Once the building renovation is complete, the Seminole County Health Department has committed to covering the annual rent as an in-kind contribution to the partnership. Shepherd’s Hope will be responsible for all annual operating costs of the evening clinics. Day-time expenses will be shared on a prorated basis by users of the facility, including the Seminole County Health Department.
Help needed:
Shepherd's Hope is asking for committed faith organizations, volunteer medical providers and medical groups to join this effort. Sovereign Immunity is provided to licensed health care providers through the Department of Health Volunteer Health Care Provider Program.
In addition, Shepherd's Hope will need medical supplies after the first of the year to help get the Clinic started. The list of needs includes:
- Alcohol prep pads
- Alcohol
- Accucheck strips
- 8 blood pressure cuffs
- 3 child blood pressure cuffs
- 8 exam tables
- Exam gloves
- Exam table paper
- Finger lancets and lancing device
- 8 glucometers
- 8 digital thermometers and covers
- Gowns and drapes
- 8 hazardous waste boxes
- KY jelly
- 8 stethescopes
- 8 reflex hammers
- 1 EKG machine
- One touch test strips
- 8 ophthalmoscopes and bulbs
- 8 otoscopes, tips and bulbs
- Pap smear/specimen kits
- Peroxide
- Sharps box
- Tongue depressors
- Vaginal speculas (with lights)
Contact information:
To learn more about supporting this unique partnership, please contact Cindi Kopelman at Shepherd’s Hope at 407-876-6699.
Testimonial:
When was the last time you gave someone hope?
For the people at the Hungerford Shepherd's Hope Health Center, it happens all the time. Just ask Charles Howard. Charles is a soft spoken gentleman who lost his job as a gardener when he got sick with complications from Diabetes. Along with his job, he also lost his health insurance. Charles showed up at the Hungerford Health Center with a gangrened foot wrapped in a plastic garbage bag. One of the volunteer nurses drove Charles to the Emergency Room, where he was admitted and doctors amputated two of his toes. The same nurse visited him in the hospital and supported him through his recovery. Since then, Charles visits regularly at the health center and the volunteers have taken him under their wing. One volunteer provided him with a bicycle, and another helped him apply for Social Security Disability. The volunteers at Hungerford did much more than provide medical care, they provided love and support and offered Charles hope for the future. When was the last time you gave someone hope?
