Nonprofit Charis Health Center Reaches Out to the Working Uninsured
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Working people who don’t have health insurance often have nowhere to turn when they get sick. But that’s not the case in Mt. Juliet, thanks to Charis Health Center.
Open since January 2008, Charis Health Center is a nonprofit clinic that provides health care at a reduced rate for the working uninsured in Wilson County. The clinic was started by the InterChurch Council of West Wilson County, a group of laypeople representing about eight different area churches.
“The group meets once a month to talk about what’s going on in the community and ways they can make a difference,” says Shirley Whittaker, volunteer office manager for Charis Health Center. “This was the only county surrounding Nashville that didn’t have a clinic for the working uninsured, so they thought it was something we ought to be looking at.”
The council began working to make the clinic a reality in March 2007, and Charis Health Center opened its doors nine months later.
“We’re much like a doctor’s office. The doctors here examine patients, do blood tests at a reduced rate and refer people for X-rays, MRIs and ultrasounds for very reduced rates,” Whittaker says. “The office visit fees are based on income and the number in your household, and they range from $10 to $40. We also try to write $4 generic prescriptions whenever possible, and we have a few prescription drugs that have been donated that we can offer for free.”
Charis Health Center is completely run by volunteers, with about 20-30 volunteers on the medical side and 35-40 volunteers on the non-medical side. It is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and three volunteer doctors take turns covering shifts.
“Two of the doctors are retired, and one is a working doctor. They are fabulous,” Whittaker says. “We would like to eventually be open five days a week, but we need more volunteers.”
The clinic serves about 50 people per month, and Whittaker expects that number to rise as more people in Wilson County find out about it.
“There are still people who don’t know we’re here, and we’re trying to get the word out,” she says. “More and more businesses are moving to our area, and many don’t offer insurance. People who have health insurance often don’t realize how many people don’t have it – and there are so many.”
Charis Health Center is supported by area churches, individual donors, businesses and civic organizations. Because it is faith-based, volunteers strive to not only help meet patients’ physical needs, but also their spiritual needs. The clinic’s name, Charis, comes from the Greek word meaning “grace.”
“We offer spiritual counseling and prayer if patients want it, but we don’t push it on them,” Whittaker says. “We listen to what’s going on in their lives and pray with them. We believe that’s part of the healing process.”
Whittaker loves volunteering at the clinic because she says it’s gratifying to help people get back on their feet when they are sick.
“The best thing is seeing people get the care anyone deserves,” she says. “Everybody deserves a fighting chance at staying well.”
Visit www.charishealthcenter.org for more information.
Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Brian McCord
