(Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig for AWFUMC) - For many Floridians, access to healthcare is an increasingly inaccessible service. Issues like the increasing cost of care, access to affordable health insurance, and legal risks facing non-citizens who seek emergency care plague the health systems in Florida and beyond. However, thanks to the vision and hard work of one Florida community, access to safe and affordable healthcare has arrived for the people of Point Washington, Florida.
In December of 2016, Dr. Patsy Vargo and Hillary Glenn, DNP, met for lunch, and by the end of their meal, a name, logo, and mission for a free clinic in Point Washington was born. Just three months later, on April 12, 2017, the Point Washington Medical Clinic saw their first patients on the campus of Point Washington United Methodist Church. Co-Founder and Executive Director, Hillary Glenn, reflected on the early days saying, “Things just fell into place—It had a mind of its own! We were gifted exam tables, clinic space, and serendipitous talent and introductions.” She continued, “We had no idea how large the need was. By 6 months in, we were seeing 20-30 patents every clinic day.”
The need for medical care in their community and surrounding areas grew rapidly when Hurricane Michael devastated the Gulf Coast in 2018. However, the Point Washington Medical Clinic quickly mobilized, setting up satellite clinics in Panama City, Florida, which remained open 7 days a week for 5 months. Director Glenn remembers, “we were able to dispense life-saving medications to the people of Panama City.” The Clinic served approximately 1,350 patients in Panama City, all using donated materials and connections. During their clinic operation in Panama City, the Point Washington Clinic continued its operations uninterrupted. By 2019, the Clinic expanded to 2 days a week, and by 2020, the Clinic was open 3 days a week, with one of those days dedicated to free, open-access COVID-19 testing. From there, the dream only continued to grow.
Rev. Amy Persons, Senior Pastor of Point Washington UMC, shared, “the people of Point Washington United Methodist Church have a long history of providing this type of radical service.” The long history Rev. Persons referenced was the church’s hands-on involvement in the establishment of the Children’s Volunteer Heath Network, established over 18 years ago to bring dental care to those who need it most in Okaloosa and Walton counties. The partnership between Point Washington UMC and the Point Washington Medical Clinic was only natural. The church housed the clinic and their office while also contributing financially to the clinic. Clinic space, internet access, and utilities are just a few of the amenities PWUMC provides the clinic. “Anything we can, we try to provide for the clinic,” Rev. Persons happily reported. She continued, “this church’s DNA is serving their community. Instead of creating a big new sanctuary, we’ve continued to invest in spaces that the entire community can use. We want to do something that will impact people beyond our own walls.”
Mostly recently, Point Washington UMC contributed to the mission and vision of the Medical Clinic by entering a land lease relationship, which will allow the clinic to open their new 4,700-square-foot, state-of-the-art medical clinic on a parcel of land held by PWUMC. This extremely valuable property will be given to the clinic at the cost of just $10 per year. Reflecting back, Rev. Persons shared, “what started as a 1,000 square-foot dream has become a 4,700 square-foot reality.”
The newly completed clinic will offer primary care services, episodic visits, chronic disease management and education, on-site lab services, minor procedure capabilities, physicals and well checks, vaccine services, specialist referrals, and other general health maintenance services. With this new building, the clinic space will more than triple. The clinic offers dentistry accommodations, teaching spaces, a pharmacy providing non-controlled substances, onsite therapy, a teaching kitchen, and computers. However, not only is the clinic practical, it is beautiful— boasting huge windows, an outdoor prayer garden, and local artwork showcased in gathering spaces and exam rooms. The clinic continues to prioritize education and outreach in its approach to healthcare. Director Hillary Glenn said, “We strive to impact our patients through education so they can learn about their bodies and take control of their own health” She continued,
“It is literally a dream come true— the new facility not only expands access by having more rooms and allowing more patients, but we aren’t constrained by sharing space and time. We can be open more days to serve our patients and expand our mission. Our motto is ‘radically inclusive healthcare’ because we treat anyone and there are no strings attached. We do it because we feel everyone should have the ability to be healthy.”
Since its inception, the clinic has seen over 16,000 patients, rendered over 3.5 million dollars in services provided, and saved local emergency rooms 5.9 million dollars in non-emergency visits. The 2.75-million-dollar clinic will continue to serve its patients, who are made up of 59% women, 24% pediatric patients, and 61% of whom have a household income less than $20,000. The clinic is supported by Point Washington United Methodist Church, as well as eight other congregations, 579 foundations, businesses, and independent supporters, and various grants offered through the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and other organizations.
As the clinic celebrates its new facility, Rev. Persons encouraged, “Don’t underestimate what God can do with that one crazy idea—that thing that you think has no chance to succeed. Don’t underestimate the power of God at work through that!” As Director Glenn reflected on her involvement from the very beginning of the clinic’s work she shared, “It has brought me back to why I got into healthcare in the first place and reminded me that we are all humans looking for the same thing: to be love and feel a part of something. Being around humanity in its purest most beautiful form is a magical thing to see.”
To learn more or contribute to the mission of the Point Washington Medical Clinic, visit
https://www.thepwmc.org.
