Faith based initiative
Clinic fulfilling mission If you build it they will come.
Since opening last October, Conway Interfaith Clinic has been fulfilling its mission of serving the uninsured. The steadily increasing flow of patients is proof that the startling statistics are true. Conway, like many other growing and affluent communities, has a healthcare crisis when it comes to the uninsured. An estimated 10,000 to 12,000 people in Faulkner County currently have no medical insurance. The situation is even worse when it comes to dental insurance, often having the most impact on a very vulnerable group - area children.
With these sobering facts in mind, a discussion began which led to an idea, a plan, and finally, a reality - Conway Interfaith Clinic. Members of First United Methodist Church initiated the project over two years ago. Over time, a working group expanded to become an interdenominational mix of concerned citizens.
The result is a health clinic located at 830 North Creek Drive, behind the United Way building. One side of the clinic provides family practice medical services while the other side is dedicated to pediatric dental care. A sliding scale fee program allows patients to pay for medical services according to their income. ArKids First covers the dental services provided to youth.
The clinic is open all day Wednesday and Friday mornings for pediatric dental appointments. On Wednesday afternoons medical patients are seen. Pre-registration is required to use the clinic. This registration may be done anytime from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Because of the increasing requests for appointments, hours for both medical and dental services will soon be expanded.
On the dental side, demand is soaring. Dr. Jack Logan, the clinic's first volunteer dentist, treated one patient during his first session. The next week 14 patients were waiting for him. Phone calls requesting appointments are becoming frequent and the waiting room's 15 chairs are filling up each Wednesday and Friday. Four other dentists will soon be joining Logan. Dick Wiedower, Ellen Turney, Gary Tumlison and John Vammen will be volunteering their services to treat area children at the clinic.
On the medical side, the results are similar. Physician Bart Throneberry has been instrumental in leading efforts and working with local doctors. He is joined by Lisa Martin, an Advance Practice Nurse. Martin utilizes her fluency in Spanish to help communicate with and treat Hispanic patients that come for assistance. The clinic is experiencing a steady increase of patients as word of the clinic spreads.
The overall response from the community to Conway Interfaith Clinic has been extremely positive. Donations from local companies, churches and individuals have helped make the clinic a first-rate facility. An open house in December brought in over 50 guests to tour the building. Kittie Aaron, executive director of the clinic, is currently working with pharmaceutical companies for donations of medications. Volunteer Carol Clark is implementing a drug education program. In addition, grant opportunities for the clinic are being explored and a network of volunteers is being established.
A board of directors is being formed and will be announced soon. The board will provide leadership and direction for the clinic as it expands its operations. The clinic will also be looking for opportunities to collaborate with existing health and social service agencies.
"We recognize the outstanding work already being done by the Pine Street Clinic and Conway Regional to name a few. We hope Conway Interfaith Clinic can make a similar positive impact and work together with these institutions and with others in the medical community to address the needs of the uninsured. We are not competing with anybody. The need is so great we must all work together. Community problems require community solutions," stated Jerry Adams, chairman and spokesperson for the clinic.
For more information on Conway Interfaith Clinic, call 501-932-0559.