by elizabeth Taylor and PrIYanka Dharampuriya

LET’S TALK RURAL HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE ACCESS. Having health insurance is a major contributor to better health outcomes. Due to the high cost of healthcare, those without health insurance are less likely to seek out adequate care. In Tennessee for example, up to 10% of the population lives without health insurance, placing those with chronic illnesses in a particularly difficult situation. The survival of these populations rely heavily on the efforts of those in the medical field who are willing to bridge this gap. A beautiful example of this is Good Faith Clinic, located in rural Athens, Tennessee. Today’s woman dreamer, Norma Barham, has been volunteering with the Good Faith Clinic for over 14 years, providing healthcare to low income patients in Tennessee, often without health insurance. This article was written by guest contributor Elizabeth Taylor and our global health contributor, Priya Dharampuriya, both medical students with a passion for healthcare equality and access. In this thought-provoking interview, they discuss the role rural clinics have in our health system, the challenges these clinics face, and some of the key issues and trends with patients in these communities. A topical and relevant interview, join us for Women’s Health Wednesday!

1. Would you mind introducing yourself and stating your role/ background at Good Faith? 

My name is Norma Barham.  I have been volunteering at GFC for over 14 years.  I do not have a medical background.  My role at the clinic is to organize the volunteers (our clinic is 100% staffed by volunteers!!), make newspaper and radio releases, stock supplies, maintain patient records, gather data for reporting (for grant funding), and to assist patients in referrals for diagnostic testing.  I also check the mail, make deposits, sweep floors and clean toilets!
2.  What are the central goals of this clinic and how has it bridged that gap in healthcare for the uninsured? 

We offer primary health care for adults without insurance.  Most of our patients are low income but do not qualify for TennCare.  We also provide services for the “working poor” - those who have jobs but do not qualify for benefits, and for some that are self employed and cannot afford insurance.  Our patients have no other options for healthcare/

3. What were some of the struggles that come with running a clinic like this and also with recruiting people to volunteer? 

Recruiting volunteers is our biggest struggle.  While we currently have sufficient nursing, pharmacy, and nonmedical volunteers, getting physicians to participate has always been an issue.  Many of our volunteers are retired (and therefore elderly) and Covid proved a particularly hard time for us as many of our volunteers were in the higher risk category and were unable to help.  

Financially, we have been blessed to be supported by State Safety Net Funds, United Way of McMinn and Meigs Counties (our largest contributor), as well as civic, church, and private donations.  Our United Way also helps by facilitating share sessions whereby we are aware of services provided by other UW agencies.  For a relatively small community, we have awesome resources!  We also are fortunate that we are provided diagnostic services at reduced cost at  Starr Regional Medical Center and several area specialists take referrals for our patients at reduced costs.

4. What are some things you wish the surrounding population knew about Good Faith?

I wish our community REALLY knew the struggles of the population we (and other United Way agencies) work with.  That people fall through the cracks and find themselves in a position where they can’t help themselves.  

Many people in our community do not realize that we provide maintenance medication for our patients.  Anderson Drugs in Etowah provides medications to us at reduced cost and we have many patients who come to clinics for prescription refills.  We don't want our patients to have to choose between spending their dollars for food, rent or medicine, and taking medication on a consistent basis provides healthier outcomes.

5. What are some trends you notice with patient compliance with recommendations?

Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if everyone followed recommendations?  We strive to educate our patients so they have the best outcomes, but unfortunately they often are not compliant, and sometimes it is simply a lack of education.  In the last year we received funding for a Diabetes Education program where we refer newly diagnosed patients, or patients who are not able to control their diabetes.  A few changes in food prep can make a big difference. 

Unfortunately many of our patients don’t live healthy lifestyles.  Last year 49% of our patients used tobacco, 39% were obese, and 52% were physically inactive.  These are lifestyle choices that have a huge impact on health.

6. Do you have a favorite memory or story that you’d like to share? 

There are SO many stories!  A couple years ago on the eve of Christmas Eve we sent a patient for testing at Starr Regional, and it was determined she had a blood clot in her lung.  She constantly reminds us how thankful her family is that she was able to celebrate Christmas with them that year and for years to come.  

We also had an elderly volunteer that came every clinic.  Mr. Bill unlocked the doors, got everything ready, worked until clinic was over, then locked up again.  He had no medical background, just a desire to serve.  When his wife passed away and the funeral was held on a clinic day his entire family came afterward and worked the clinic in support of him. We nominated him for an annual United Way award, and were delighted when he was chosen to receive it. Mr. Bill died unexpectedly before he was notified, and it was a bittersweet service when his family received the award for him.  I think of him often.

We are currently working with a patient who had been injured in a car wreck.  He had worked prior to his accident, but had no family or friends in the area to help him.  He had been brought to the clinic by public transportation because his vehicle had been totaled.  His injuries were so severe he could not walk, and simply crawled.  He cried when we made arrangements to help him, saying that he had been to several places but no one would help him when they realized he didn’t have insurance.  Upon receiving testing at Starr Regional Medical Center, he was transported to a Knoxville hospital where he has had several surgeries, including amputation of a foot.  While his medical (and other needs) are currently being met by other resources, I am proud that GFC took the initiative to find this person the help they needed.

Thank you ladies for sharing this inspiring story with us! We are excited to have you in our empowered women’s network!

Written by our contributors, Elizabeth Taylor and Priya Dharampuriya

Bio: Elizabeth Taylor is a third-year medical students at Lincoln Memorial University Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a bachelors of science with a pre-medicine emphasis at Pensacola Christian College followed by a Masters of Biomedical Science from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia. She is very interested in women’s health issues especially as it relates to underserved populations and rural communities.

Bio: Priya Dharampuriya is a third-year medical student at Lincoln Memorial University, with a degree in Biology from Tufts University and a Masters in Medical Sciences from Boston University. She is interested in healthcare disparities, health communication, environmental issues, and interesting stories. Priya is very excited to join Women Who Win as a Global Health Contributor and use this amazing platform to foster important conversations about health!

WHO WE ARE

WOMEN WHO WIN IS THE GLOBAL ONLINE MEDIA PLATFORM AND NETWORKING GROUP FOR WOMEN, WHERE WE SHARE THE DREAMS OF DYNAMIC WOMEN ACROSS THE WORLD, AND THE INSPIRATIONAL SECRETS BEHIND THEIR SUCCESS.

CO-FOUNDED BY DR. MANJU SHETH, DR. DEEPA JHAVERI, SHALEEN SHETH.

IF YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE, REACH OUT TO WOMENWHOWIN100@GMAIL.COM

WOMEN WHO WIN, ALONG WITH THE NAMES OF ALL 3 CO-FOUNDERS MUST BE CREDITED WHEREVER ARTICLE CONTENTS ARE SHARED. COPY-PASTING THE STORY WITHOUT THESE CREDITS IS PROHIBITED ALL VIEWS AND IDEAS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE CONTRIBUTOR. WOMEN WHO WIN #DREAMCATCHERS BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY.