The frustration and concern of being unable to afford health insurance is being replaced by hope and relief for hundreds of Attala County residents receiving care through Shepherd’s Touch, a non-profit ministry of Kosciusko First Baptist Church.
Kosciusko doctors, dentists and nurses - along with other health professionals and community volunteers - meet the second Monday night of each month to offer free basic health services to those in need.
The Son Building, located adjacent to the church, takes on the appearance of a clinic and a minimum of 50 patients receive care there each month.
A line often forms outside the building well in advance of the clinic’s opening.
Patients hear a devotional by Rev. Barry Corbett, First Baptist pastor, and Rev. Jose T. Rodriguez of New Life Baptist Church as they await treatment after registering.
A patient at last week’s clinic said she has been receiving care since last fall and is thankful for the two-fold help.
“I am so thankful for the help as I don’t qualify for Medicaid and cannot afford insurance. Coming here has helped me get closer to God and caused me to pick up my Bible more often,” she said.
Another patient said she was diagnosed with a problem that required her being sent to the University Medical Center in Jackson for treatment. She continues to get the services of Shepherd’s Touch after hospitalization. With a smile, and speaking through an interpreter, she said she is grateful for Shepherd’s Touch. Several similar testimonies were heard throughout the clinic.
The ministry began its community involvement in October 2013, with the two-fold purpose: to meet physical needs and to spread the gospel, along with a vision of community involvement.
Dr. Adam Middleton serves as chairman of the ministry board, and other board members include David Hudson, Dr. Greg Browning, Dr. Steven Hammack and Nurse Practitioner Linda Cockroft.
The clinic is manned by a group of healthcare professionals - Edward Bryant, Greg Browning, Brady Richardson, Steven Hammack, James Withers, Gray Wallace, Michael Holman, Larry Routt, Don Weaver, Adam Middleton and Nurse Practitioner Kathy Wallace - who serve on a rotation basis.
Volunteers also play a vital role in the clinic, handling monthly registration and triage as patients file in beginning at 5 p.m. Volunteers joining the professionals are students of Holmes Community College nursing program and members of the health related class at the Vo-Tech Career Center.
Doctors see five patients each in areas throughout the building. In addition to providing general health care, the clinic has two dentists and one optometrist who see patients by appointment. The only service offered by the dentists, however, is extractions.
The clinic even offers an on-site lab, an area where patients can receive training in management of diabetes, and a pharmacy, which provides prescribed medications for chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
The trip to the clinic ends with patients enjoying a meal provided by donations from local restaurants.
The Baptist Foundation has recently partnered with the clinic to help fund the clinic’s operations through 2018.
Dr. Middleton said additional volunteers from the community are needed and those wishing to help may call First Baptist Church for additional information.
