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A SHOT IN ARM FOR K.G. NEEDY Date published: 4/30/2009
By CATHY DYSON Christine Thomas needed to see a doctor but couldn't afford one. The 49-year-old secretary used to have health insurance at work but dropped it when it got too expensive. She tried to get an appointment at the Moss Free Clinic in Fredericksburg, but it accepts only 10 new patients, two days a week. She didn't make the cut the day she went. Meanwhile, her blood pressure was soaring, and she was having blackouts. She ended up in the emergency room after one episode and had tests done, but no problems were found. Thomas didn't know where to get follow-up treatment until someone mentioned the free clinic at the King George Department of Social Services. Thomas, who lives in King George, was the first person seen on a recent night. She showed Dr. Jeffrey Rich her notebook of numbers--she records her blood pressure twice a day--and discussed other symptoms. Rich put her on medicine to bring down her blood pressure. He told her she could get the prescription filled at Wal-Mart for $4, and she nodded in appreciation. Rich also asked her to return in a month with her medical records so he could review them and check her progress. "I feel better already," she said, as she thanked him and left the examining room. King George's free clinic, which operates out of the conference room of the social services office, has recorded more than 300 patient visits since it started in August. About 90 percent are King George residents, but the clinic is open to any uninsured adult, age 18 to 64, said Social Services Director Dave Coman. Children, pregnant women and senior citizens with Medicare coverage are not eligible. "I want to keep the man busy," Coman said about Rich, who drives from Norfolk to King George once a week. "I hate the thought of him driving all the way up here and only seeing a few patients." Rich is a surgeon who specializes in the treatment of adult hearts and lungs. He's built an impressive resume since he earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago 28 years ago. He's published numerous articles in medical journals and testified before Congress on treatment for Medicare patients. For four years, he directed the heart transplant program at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. In 2008, he earned the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' Distinguished Service Award.
Date published: 4/30/2009
Where can we sign up to offer volunteer support to keep this going?
Finally a pice of news that is positive
For giving back to people who are in need, and even paying for his own malpractice insurance. If only other doctors could follow his lead.
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