18 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 7 B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 19 B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 19 “Each patient visit actually costs us about $56, and we feel that many of our patients can afford to share a little of the cost. The fees will be based on income, but no one will be turned away for failure to pay.” As a charitable clinic, SGPH will also benefit people who have insurance but are unable to afford their deductibles. “You might have insurance with a high deductible,” Sparks said. “Some deductibles are $3,000 to $4,000 and that prevents people from seeking primary care.” Sparks said the SGPH is grateful for the generosity of the Hospital Authority of Valdosta and Lowndes County, Georgia (SGMC) for its continued financial support that helps expand healthcare access to more adults in South Georgia. “SGMC has been a supporter of Partnership for Health since we started,” Sparks said. “We help keep people out of the emergency room and give them a place for follow- up care when they get out of the hospital.” According to a 2015 study conducted by the Economic Evaluation Research Group at the University of Georgia College of Public Health, there is strong evidence that public and private financial support of free and charitable clinics provides a positive return on investment. “SGMC values the Partnership Health Center because it provides high-quality primary care that individuals need to stay healthy or manage their medical conditions,” said Johnny Ball, SGMC assistant administrator for Communications and Public Affairs. “SGMC considers the resources it has invested with the partnership to be dollars well spent. Providing cost-effective, timely care is simply the right thing to do. It is part of SGMC’s mission to serve people and improve overall community health.” Commissioned by the GCCN, the study found that for every 100 patients that visited a free or charitable clinic there was an annual savings of $50,000 in avoided visits to emergency rooms. “The study supports that when hospitals invest in free or charitable clinics, there are savings on that investment,” Sparks said. In addition to moving toward operating as a charitable clinic, PCH is working toward applying to become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), which would provide federal dollars to assist the clinic in serving more patients. “Becoming an FQHC will allow us to hire a full-time physician, expand our pharmacy, and add more dental services,” Sparks said. “FQHCs are in areas that are considered medically underserved. Even though Valdosta and Lowndes is an MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area), there are parts where we are medically underserved.” In 2016, the SGPH provided $1.6 million in free medical care and is expected to provide more than 13,000 patient visits this year. “If it weren’t for free and charitable clinics, like the Partnership Health Clinic, you would have close to half-a- million people in Georgia that would not have access to healthcare,” Sparks said. “Each clinic operates differently depending on who they serve, programs offered, and times they are open. The success is based on the community’s needs and who is investing in them. We are fortunate to have South Georgia Medical Center as a partner.” Our purpose is to provide healthcare to those who don’t have access. –John Sparks 18 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 7 B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 19 Jeff and Kristen Ley didn’t have to travel around the world to find people who needed help. They discovered their mission within their own community. In 2013, the Leys began the process of opening a charitable health clinic in Lanier County. It took four years to realize their goal, and in May they opened Faith Hope & Love Health and Wellness Center. The renovated clinic, located in Lakeland, provides primary care to patients 13 years and older. Jeff said that the clinic’s mission is to provide affordable primary healthcare for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people in Lanier County and the surrounding area. “We are faith based; it’s in our name,” he said. “Building relationships is critical to our mission, and it shows patients the love of Christ.” Southside Baptist Church in Lakeland purchased the building that houses the clinic and serves as a financial sponsor. “I felt called to this area,” said Kristen, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science Nursing in adult nurse practitioner from Valdosta State University. “I graduated from Lanier County High School. This is where I grew up and where we are raising a family.” Lanier County, with a population of approximately 10,000, is considered “medically underserved” by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The HRSA defines a medically under- served area as having inadequate primary healthcare providers, a high infant mortality rate, high poverty level, or high elderly population. “There are limited places in this area that take new Medicaid and Medicare patients,” said Jeff, who serves as the clinic’s executive officer. “We also take private insurance and offer a sliding scale for patients that are uninsured.” Kristen said that hypertension and diabetes are two of the biggest med- ical needs she sees within the clinic. While in the nurse practitioner program at VSU, Kristen conducted a study on diabetic management at the local hospital. “I wasn’t able to prescribe medicine, and I had a limited budget,” she said. “It was mostly education about the importance of diet and exercise for diabetic patients.” Kristen gave each participant a ped- ometer and stretch bands for exercise, and then monitored their weight. “More than half of the patients decreased their BMI (Body Mass Index) and A1C (blood test for type 2 diabetes),” she said. “What I found was that I really enjoyed teaching the patients and getting to know them.” Kristen said providing education and access are the keys to the clinic’s success. “Education is a big part of dealing with hypertension and diabetes,” she said. “We also provide our patients with access to medical care that many weren’t getting before.” In addition to lack of insurance, transportation is an issue. “Some of our patients don’t have a car,” Kristen said, “so even driving to Valdosta to see a doctor can be a burden.” The Leys plan to expand healthcare services to include women’s health and counseling. “We are here to help people in our community,” Jeff said. “We want people to see the love of Jesus Christ and meet their physical and spiritual needs.” Jeff and Kristen Ley, Faith Hope & Love Health and Wellness Center B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 19 Providing Healthcare Accessto Underserved in South Georgia