The Bethel Lutheran Free Clinic

Note: This text makes frequent reference to clients at the clinic, but everyone whose face is shown in the pictures is a volunteer — the clinic director, other nurses, nursing students, Dr. Jackie, a social worker, and others. This is to protect the privacy of the clients.

Let your imagination go free:
Take a trip with me
Through the Free Clinic.

Imagine: You are a parent, the school just called, and you must pick up 7 year old Billy. He has an open sore on his nose, as well as itchy sores on his arms and legs and body. He must see a doctor and get treatment before going back to school. There’s no money for that – or for the rent that is due next week. Thank goodness for the clinic at the Lutheran Church.

You take Billy to the clinic, and already there is a crowd in the waiting room. Doors open at 9 am, but if too many show up to see the doctor, the doors close at 11 so the doctor can see everyone and have lunch before 1:30 pm. So, are we in time?

We check at the table after being greeted warmly by the staff. First, everyone must “wash your hands with sanitizer” – even babies get the treatment!

Then: “Do you want to see a doctor or do you need help?” – that is, with finances, housing, or other referrals. We sign Billy up for medical care and make an appointment to come back another day for financial help. Sometimes the resource people, Chris and Joy Lynn, talk with a landlord to get an adjustment on time. Sometimes they can find sources of funds.

We sit in the waiting area, a part of the lobby that also has the sign-up area and a curtained-off nurses’ area. There are two RNs today, but only one doctor. So it will be slow. There are several children waiting and one crying baby. One nurse brings each of the children a Beanie Baby toy and a cup of animal crackers. She finds a jump seat for the baby. Things are looking up.

The nurse sees Billy, writes down the vital information, and examines his sores. Then we wait and wait for the doctor.

Suddenly a sobbing woman comes to the door, which is locked by now. Director Judy speaks to her briefly and takes her into the sanctuary. One of the nurses stays with her for a long while.

Others in the waiting area are patient, but one woman is upset because someone else got seen before her. Judy explains that sometimes an abscessed or other more critical condition gets moved up. The woman demands some Tylenol for her discomfort while she waits – she is not happy with the clinic.

Finally Billy sees the doctor. He has a staph infection, as do many who come to this clinic. We wait in the hall for medication from the pharmacy. After Billy is on medication for several days, the doctor will see him again and write a release so he can return to school. At seven, he still loves school. [End of story]

Bethel Church also has a Stephen Minister who helps with problems of all sorts. The pastor is available. Typically, the doctor finishes up the last morning patient at 1:15 and goes for a hot lunch served in the church’s kitchen. By that time, the nurses and other staff have already eaten. Dr. Jackie must be ready again shortly after 1:30. What a hero! Sometimes there is a pharmacist, but usually Judy dispenses meds with the help of a nurse or one of the student nurses from the local university who help out several days a week.

Like Camp Victor, Bethel Lutheran houses volunteers who work on construction projects, as well as those who work in the Clinic. The church has converted two rooms to dormitories, but they also have volunteers sleeping in every available space in the sanctuary.

DRS, 10/18/07

© 2006, Saint Philip's Episcopal Church
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 218, Durham, NC 27702
Telephone 919-682-5708, Fax 919-683-1857

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