Alliance Medical Ministry Honors Dr. Charles Mann at Annual Spring Soiree

Raleigh, N.C.,– Alliance Medical Ministry, a faith-led non-profit organization serving  working uninsured adults of Wake County,will honor one of its four founders, Dr.Charles Mann, on May 18, 2012 at its Annual Spring Soiree, themed Back to Our Roots.    

“The Alliance mission of care stems from core beliefs of Dr. Mann.  Alliance is honored to pay tribute to Dr. Mann but we’ll never truly be able to repay him for his dedication and passion in creating an affordable healthcare option for Wake County residents,” said Sean Harrison, Executive Director of Alliance Medical.

In 1999, after attending a physician continuing education conference where Dr. Mann heard a lecture by the founder of the Memphis-based Church Health Center, the idea of Alliance was born.  This idea took root in January of 2003 when Alliance opened its doors to the Wake County community. 

Dr. Mann has practiced in the Triangle area since 1982 and has resided in Cary, NC since 1991 when he opened Mann ENT Clinic.  A native of West Virginia, he graduated from West Virginia University and received his M.D. in 1966.  Dr. Mann spent five years in the U.S. Navy serving as a flight surgeon and received his specialty training at the University of Florida.

Dr. Mann is Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery as well as being specially certified by the American Board of Otolaryngic Allergy. He continues to practice medicine today.

The Spring Soiree: Back to Our Roots will be held at Alliance Medical Ministry, 101 Donald Ross Drive, on May 18, 2012 from 6:30 pm until 11:00 pm.  This exciting evening full of food, music and laughter is open to the public. Proceeds will help Alliance meet its fundraising goal of $100,000.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has pledged to be exclusive matching gift sponsor for the event.  WakeMed is continuing their support of Alliance through their Gold Sponsorship.  For more information about the special event visit alliancemedicalministry.org.

About Alliance Medical

Alliance Medical Ministry is a faith-based nonprofit providing a medical home to the working uninsured of Wake County.  More than 120,000 adult residents of Wake County, lack access to affordable acute and primary medical care. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 79 percent of the uninsured in North Carolina reside in a working household.  Without insurance these hard-working citizens are less likely to receive preventive care, and are more likely to be hospitalized for conditions that could have been prevented. Most uninsured families struggle financially to meet basic needs, and medical bills, even for minor problems, can quickly lead to medical debt. 

Alliance currently provides a primary care medical home to more than 8,000 low-income adults, with 98 percent having an annual household income of less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.  Comprehensive medical care provided at Alliance includes acute and chronic medical care, pharmacy services, health education, disease management, and pastoral counseling.  Patients are referred to Alliance from local area hospital emergency departments, from the Health Department and other local social service organizations.  Many are patients who would otherwise go to local emergency rooms for treatment of non-emergency health care needs, costing approximately $1,596 per visit.  The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and select Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM. 

For more information call, 919-250-9254 or go to http://www.alliancemedicalministry.org.

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Who is an Alliance patient?

Dr. Sheryl Joyner speaks her heart for Alliance patients and makes a connection that cannot be disputed or doubted. She is pictured below with Morton Spivey, an Alliance patient who works as a caterer, as well as two additional jobs, to support his family.

     "An Alliance patient delivers my morning paper, fixes my latte at Starbucks, bags my groceries, pumps my gas, and inspects my car. They work at my gym and teach at local preschools. An Alliance patient is often behind the counter at the library, video store, shoe repair shop and dry cleaners. They fit and alter my daughter's prom dress and help my son fit his new pair of tennis shoes. 

     When its been a long day, Lax is running late, Walton is at Bible Study and the kids are hungry, it is often the smiling face of an Alliance patient that serves me at Wendy's, Char-Grill, Snoopy's, or K&W.  Alliance patients works in restaurants all over town both waiting tables and in the kitchen. I frequently see Alliance patients in my neighborhood cleaning houses, working as nannies, pushing strollers, and maintaining yards.

     They are plumbers, electricians, pest control technicians and appliance repairmen. They teach dance, gymnastics, karate, and swim lessons. They pastor churches and are musicians. Many of my patients own their own businesses including ethnic restaurants, janitorial services, and salons. They cut hair, give pedicures and work as massage therapists. They are bookkeepers, dog walkers, taxi drivers, caterers, yoga instructors, and personal trainers. They service my car, change my oil, and rotate my tires. They sell me my cell phone and wait patiently while I ask a million questions.

     In many ways these patients are similar to those of us that work at Alliance. They go to work, receive a paycheck, pay taxes, raise families and contribute to the community. They simply do not have health insurance. So many people whose lives touch mine every day and in turn touch yours. I am honored to take care of them because they take care of me."

Let's Go Back To Our Roots

Alliance's Annual Spring Soiree will be held on Friday, May 18 from 6:30 to 11 pm. This year's theme is "Back to our Roots" and we will be holding the event right here at our office. Begin the evening enjoying music and cocktails on our front lawn surrounded by our meditation garden and our community garden. We will also have clinic tours available during the first hour. At 7:30, join us for dinner and a silent auction! Following the auction, we will feature a tribute to Dr. Charles Mann and end the night with dancing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our event website at http://www.alliancemedicalministry.org/support/events.asp. Just eight weeks away, the event planning is in full swing! Want to help? We need donations of auction items. Please contact us at development@alliancemedicalministry.org if you'd like to contribute or can help recruit items! We're looking for things like jewelry, artwork, tickets to shows or sporting events, gift cards to restaurants, complimentary stays at resorts and gift certificates to spas. Please also let us know if you have any unique ideas!

Know a company that would be interested in getting involved? We're also asking for sponsorship at this time. Visit http://www.alliancemedicalministry.org/documents/2012_Alliance_Soiree_Sponsor_Packet.pdf for more information.

We look forward to seeing you! Thank you for your continued support!

Heartthrob of the Week: Carol

“You don’t have to be here very long to just feel that there’s special work going on at Alliance,” says Carol Rahmani, who volunteers as a counselor. She joined our family in September as our first volunteer psychologist. Carol has gone above and beyond in fulfilling her role by working with Joi Williams, Director of Pastoral Care and Counseling, to develop and recruit volunteers for the Pastoral Care and Counseling Team and has even recruited two former colleagues to serve our patients! More importantly, she has brought a loving heart and a touching story to Alliance. Carol is an NC State graduate and has a passion for the Raleigh area. With the exception of only one year, she has lived here since college. She worked in Wake County Schools as a psychologist and spent a great deal of time on administrative management, supervising counselors and working directly with parents. After retiring four years ago, her husband became terminally ill and passed away. This huge loss was very challenging and left a hole in her heart. After some time, she decided that she wanted and needed to find a volunteer opportunity where she could give back and be of service to the community she loves so much.  Carol’s goal was to find an outlet where she could refocus her energy in a positive way.

A friend of Carol’s knew that Alliance was in need of mental health professionals and encouraged Carol to get involved. She met Joi and quickly came on board. “We are blessed to have Carol!  Not just because of the high professional skill set that she brings to our patients, but because Carol truly is part of the Alliance Family,” shares Joi. “Outside of Alliance, our patients would have to pay $80 to $120 to have a counseling session with a professional like Carol. But because she is willing to share her talents at Alliance, our patients have access to services that are disappearing in our community to those without insurance.  By treating the mind and the body, we can have more impact in the overall health of our community.”

“The staff has just embraced those of us volunteering with the Pastoral Care and Counseling team, and it does feel like a family,” Carol says of her experience with us. But her favorite part about volunteering at Alliance is “being able to serve. I spent 30 years doing that, and I think it’s in my blood. Then you get to the end of your career and you’re looking forward to retirement, but there’s something missing if you don’t find a way to fulfill that desire to serve. Alliance is a setting where you can serve and make a difference. They are a good fit for me!” Carol had considered other volunteer opportunities, but felt best about being at Alliance. “In pastoral care and counseling, you run into all different kinds of people and get to experience their touching personal stories. People come here initially for medical care, but then we get to help them through their unimaginable pain and misery. I just think Alliance helps support them in ways that go far beyond the excellent medical care that you expect of Alliance.”

Carol is excited that she is able to apply the skills she learned while working in Wake County Schools at Alliance. The mission and target population of Alliance is different, but the same root problems exist such as financial struggles, family differences, and even sometimes, abuse. She has found her nitch, but feels that is possible for anyone who wants to be involved!

Thank you, Carol, for your hard work, dedication and enthusiasm! You have poured your heart into Alliance and we are glad to share ours with you!

At last, my love has come along...

Valerie Smith-Davis, a hard-working wife and a mother to a 3-year-old girl, searched for affordable healthcare options and thought she would never find a solution! She works full-time as a case manager, but her employer does not offer health benefits. Then, Alliance came along...

"I am so grateful to have healthcare and access to good physicians!” She is from New York and had always associated clinics with the stereotype -- below-average healthcare. “But Alliance is nothing like that! It is a great alternative,” she said. And the best part about finding us? “They made it easy for me to get the care that I needed. I didn’t have to jump through hoops to gain access to healthcare.” Valerie, that’s what we’re here for! We’re ecstatic to have the opportunity to serve such sweet, appreciative and hard-working people!

Since coming to Alliance, Valerie and her husband have been able to address problems, access medications and manage their overall health. She has received pastoral care and counseling to work on making her health and herself a priority, reduce stress and relax more. Valerie has learned new ways to use her breathing to let stress out of her body. She has also worked with Dr. Lewis on diet, exercise and weight loss. This has helped her to manage her blood pressure without medication, which is important to someone with as much independence and perseverance as Valerie!

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return! Thank you for loving us, Valerie.

Heartthrob of the Week: Kimberly Conklin

“I’ve known Kim for about 9 years, since we worked together at the OB-GYN. She has a heart of gold and she’ll bend over backwards for someone!” – Robin Schroeder, RN

“Kim knows so many our patients personally; she knows a lot about them and truly cares for them. Because of that, she’s able to give them the individual attention they need.” – Leanne Ritter, Medical Assistant

She certainly does have the HEART of Alliance after serving as our Nurse Manager for the past 7 years. Kim is an RN from Angelo State Universityand began volunteering at Alliance Medical Ministry in 2003. After working at a local OB-GYN office, Kim would volunteer each Friday afternoon to see our gynecology patients.

In 2004, Kim went on a 2-week mission trip to Honduras. “Alliance was on my mind a lot while I was there. I kept thinking of new ways to get more involved when I got back,” Kim shares. Kim didn’t have to search very far – shortly after her return, she received a call from Dr. Weaver, who was the Director of Alliance Medical Ministry at that time. Dr. Weaver asked Kim to come on board as Nurse Manager. “I felt compelled to say yes to God’s call, and so I immediately did,” Kim says, and then joined our team on November 20, 2004.

A lot has changed since that day. She has felt the pressures and faced the challenges of a rapidly expanding organization dealing with an underserved population, such as language barriers and a need for more funding. Her heart and compassion for others has made Alliance stronger and helped us to see growth and many positive changes. When Kim first started, there were two nurses, who were required to draw all blood work, triage all of the patients, call with results, make referrals and schedule testing for all patients. We now have four RNs, two CNAs, a Medical Office Assistant and a phlebotomist. We’ve gone from serving 1,500 patients to over 8,000. That’s thanks to passionate staff like Kim! “I’m so grateful for a compassionate team of staff and volunteers,” she says.

All the hard work has been worthwhile for Kim. When asked how this opportunity has been different from other work experiences, she describes it as “much more gratifying. We have the unique opportunity to combine our skills with our faith.” She is often inspired by the relationships she forms. For example, she is responsible for scheduling diagnostic mammograms and biopsies. Several months ago, she was able to coordinate care for a patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer and still keeps in touch with her. She explained that this isn’t rare; she has formed invaluable relationships with her patients over the years. “It’s so gratifying to know that you help make a difference,” she says.

Thank you, Kim, for lending your heart, skills and passion to our mission and patients! How sweet it is to be loved by you!

Volunteer Highlight!

     “Everybody needs a little extra help sometimes,” says Kyle Sloate, a volunteer at Alliance Medical Ministry who has been donating her time since November 2011.  A graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kyle has worked alongside staff at Alliance gaining experience that will lead her to achieve her goal of becoming a Physician’s Assistant.  Spending so many hours with Alliance has allowed Kyle to become more excited for her future career in healthcare. Looking for a great environment to work in to gain experience, Kyle chose Alliance because she was drawn to their mission. Alliance Medical Ministry is a non-profit organization that provides affordable healthcare to working uninsured Wake County residents. “I like that their goal is to help people no matter where they come from.  Everybody deserves healthcare.” claims Kyle.

     Kyle’s favorite thing about Alliance Medical Ministry, aside from their mission, is the staff.  From day one the staff at Alliance has welcomed her and allowed her to feel appreciated.  Alliance isn’t the only one being spoken so highly of.  Alliance has appreciated having Kyle on board just has much as she has enjoyed being here.  “She fits right in like she has been here for years.  She is very courteous to the patients and performs her duties more like a staff member than a volunteer. We have really enjoyed having her here with us,” says Dr. Watson. Volunteering at Alliance has allowed her to learn to relate to patients in a short amount of time as well as gain the trust of Alliance patients. Kyle Sloate is very appreciative of the opportunities Alliance Medical Ministry has allowed her and claims it has been an “invaluable experience.”

     We would like to recognize Kyle for her commitment to our mission and her compassionate service!  You are a big part of the Alliance Family!