Health problems keeping her down- how she found hope.

Imagine you had a job; you were working and supporting yourself, but debilitating health problems cost you your livlihood. Here is how one woman found a way to deal with her health issues: Six years ago, Bene had to quit her job working through temporary agencies because of her progressing health issues. She suffers from disc and knee problems that cause her too much pain to stand and endure the physical work typical of temporary agency assignments. With no health insurance and therefore limited options, Bene would go to the WakeMed emergency room just to get prescriptions filled. With the average emergency room visit costing over $1,000, and in addition to being out of work due to her medical issues, this was truly a hard way to take care of herself.

Bene was finally referred Alliance Medical Ministry, where she found hope, and started seeing Dr. Joyner. “The staff is very good,” she says, “They call to remind you of your appointments and if, for whatever reason, your doctor will not be there, they let you know. They also call to let you know when your medicine is ready.” Bene says that what she appreciates the most at Alliance is the genuine care she receives from every one of the staff members. She says that it, “is a blessing that I can go to Alliance and get the care I need and get my medicine for free.” Because of her constant disc and knee problems, Bene had to have two MRIs done, after which, she was referred for physical therapy, costing her only $20. When asked what Bene hoped would happen for Alliance, her reply was, “I really pray that people would sponsor Alliance or volunteer because they are doing a great job.”

Caring for the Caregiver

"If he can't take care of himself, he can't take care of me," explained Stanley's wife, Barbara. The struggle to provide and care for a disabled spouse became greater for Stanley as he developed his own health problems and didn't have the means to address them. Before finding Alliance, he was in and out of the emergency room with problems resulting from his diabetes. Holding a physically intense job as a landscaper and being responsible for another's health became next to impossible when his own condition got worse. Not only was Stanley having trouble managing his diabetes, he faced problems with heart disease and chronic joint pain. As overwhelming as that all may be, he knew he must keep on top of his work and fulfill his responsibility as caregiver to his wife, who also faces many health issues. Without health insurance, this was virtually impossible. Being uninformed and lacking access to care continued to deter Stanley’s path to recovery. That is, until he found Alliance. “I learned how much water I needed to drink. They showed me how to take my medications properly to manage my diabetes. And I still have so much to learn, but if I have a question, they will call me back. It’s priceless!” explained Stanley. What he appreciates most about Alliance, though, are the four stints he was able to get in his heart. “I’m so thankful for the donors. Alliance is an asset to our community and they make that possible,” he shared.

The impact we make on individuals’ lives and, in turn, on their families’ lives is invaluable. Thank you for helping us to achieve that!

Creating Community to Overcome the Challenges of Diabetes

“I’m trying so hard, so where am I going wrong,” shared one patient at July’s Group Diabetes Visit Pilot. Living with diabetes can be lonely and frustrating especially for patients of Alliance who do not have the same access to resources or support as those with insurance. More than a year ago, Dr. Tara Lewis, our medical director, and Diane Berry, RN, CANP, PhD, an Associate Professor at the UNC School of Nursing, started to develop a Group Visit Model that would work for Alliance and focus on our diabetic population who are high utilizers of primary care. The group visit is an extended doctor’s visit where not only physical and medical needs are met, but educational, social and psychological concerns can be dealt with effectively.  We are currently piloting this program with support from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, lead funder, Duke University Health System Charitable Grants Committee and Novo Nordisk.

Patients normally spend 1.5 to 2 hours at Alliance for a typical diabetics visit.  With the group visit, patients spend the same amount of time at Alliance, but now get to participate in an educational component and interact with other patients.  At the first group visit conducted at Alliance, the most popular saying from the interaction was, “me too,” after hearing other patients comments and questions.

“It has been a joy watching patients open up to each other in ways that they can’t with our medical team,” shared Dr. Lewis.  “Participants are more receptive to the advice we share because it is then reinforced by other patients in the group.  The group setting allows participants to see their diabetes through a larger lens.”

Dr. Berry who has a back ground in conducting group visits in other settings said the group visits “is a powerful model because it’s inclusive of clinical and educational benefits.” Many patients have shared with Dr. Berry that they feel the group visit holds them more accountable as a patient because now they have an even larger caring group who wants to know how they are doing.

The overall goal of the pilot is to see if we can increase capacity through group visits as well as overall health outcomes.  Currently there are more than 50 participants in the pilot with a corresponding control group. Initial data won’t be ready until the end of the year, but the feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive. “I can’t believe how much effort everyone has put into this program,” shared one patient.  Another patient commented, “I have lots of questions.  And each time I come, I learn something new.”

But the glory of the program has been celebrating the small success and the changes in lifestyle!

“I don’t even buy bacon anymore. It’s my favorite, but I have learned if it’s in the house I will eat it.”

“I have not eaten fried food in 3 months!”

“My A1c has dropped from last time!”

“For my husband’s birthday this year we went healthy. No more carbs and potatoes.  We had grilled veggies and salad.  The only thing leftover was the birthday cake!”

Christmas in July

A dark night was upon Linda Cheatham-Barnes and her family as the 2011 holiday season drew near.  Still mourning the loss of her younger sister, who had passed on just two months prior, Linda lost her home the week before Christmas after being overwhelmed by funeral expenses. Left with nowhere to go, she, her daughter and her four grandchildren found themselves living in a hotel. While they still had each other, this was far from the Christmas she and her daughter had dreamt of giving the kids.

Linda has been a patient of Dr. Lewis for almost three years now. She has asthma and suffered from bouts of bronchitis. She says, "I thank God that I am blessed to be able to go to Alliance. It is quality care. They have good people in there. Very professional, very nice. I get the medical attention I need, but most of all I get support." When asked what the best part of coming to Alliance is for her, she replied, "The best thing is to know that they've supported me through all the things I've been through, especially in the last year. It's a family. They ARE my family."

When Linda came in for a visit with Dr. Lewis during Christmas week, the receptionist noticed her anxiety over sharing her address change. Linda and her family were now residing in a hotel. The Alliance staff was immediately compelled to help. In a last-minute crisis, the staff was able to pull together money to help pay for temporary shelter, a gift basket full of food, grocery cards, and toys, games and stockings for the children. Linda's family was able to celebrate the holiday together with joy and gratitude in their hearts, even in their time of darkness. "I call Dr. Lewis and Joi (Director of Pastoral Care and Counseling) my angels. You don't get that anywhere else and it's a blessing," shared Linda. We hope to be able to provide more help, hope and blessings again this holiday season, with your support!

Please contact Joi today to discuss ways you can join us.

Spotlight of the Month!

Alliance is so grateful for the caring and dedicated work of Beverley Hester over the past 4 years. Beverly has been a member of the Alliance Medical Ministry family since June of 2008 and will be moving to Charlotte,North Carolina to be with her family. Beverly is a licensed clinical social worker who retired in 2006.  After a mission trip in Nicaragua in May of 2008 with her church, Pullen Memorial, Beverly discovered her passion for service.  It was then that she decided she wanted to continue to volunteer.  Beverly found out about Alliance from her primary caregiver and decided to dedicate her time to Alliance’s mission.

During Beverly’s 4 years at Alliance she assisted in the clinic helping the doctors and nurses by getting the patients from the waiting room and bringing them back to the clinic.  Among the other things that she did, such as getting basic information from the patients and helping to ensure that rotations ran smoothly, she truly enjoyed her interaction with the patients.  Learning their story, who they are, and making a connection with them in such a short period of time was a rewarding experience for her.  “Alliance truly does treat the whole person.  It has been a great pleasure to work here with the patients and staff,” says Beverly, “They believe in holistic health and provide it through passionate care as well as chaplain services.”

As much asBeverlywill miss Alliance, Alliance will miss her just a much.  “Beverly is such a great person to work with.  She really cares about the patients and loves being here.  We’re really going to miss her,” says LeAnne Ritter, an Alliance nurse.  Beverly plans to find a similar organization that she can volunteer her time towards when she moves.  “I have really enjoyed my time here and want to continue volunteering with a non-profit that has a similar mission asAlliance.”  No matter where she moves, Beverly will always be a member of the Alliance family.  “She is a loving person and it really shows through her interaction with the patients”, says Nurse Kim Conklin.  Beverly has truly been an asset to Alliance Medical Ministry and we are so grateful for her commitment to our mission over the past 4 years!

Love Thy Neighbor Campaign

Dear Alliance Family,

     You may not know me, but you helped me when I was sick and did not have insurance. Thank you for your unconditional support!

     Who am I? I'm Caleb, a fellow supporter of Alliance Medical Ministry. But I was a patient first. Less than a decade ago, I was new to the area, in my early 20's and was working temp jobs. Upon being referred to Alliance, I was given a shock. I, an uninsured worker, was receiving kindness and quality, professional healthcare! I was so impressed that I paid more than my allotted sliding scale fee. I only visited Alliance once more before I got a full time job with benefits, but I never forgot the care and support I received there.

     Someone like you assisted me to get care when I needed help, and ever since my first visit, I have been compelled to do the same. Just over 600 of us gave last year to support Alliance Medical Ministry. Without us, the tangible results of a medical home for the working uninsured in our community would not be possible. Our gifts make a huge difference!

     I challenge you to not wait until the end of the year, but to make a gift to Alliance now. I tithe a portion of my earnings back to Alliance each month, and if you'd like, you can do the same! Together we can be there for someone who simply needs a hand up.

     Thank you again for being there for me when I needed the help! I am honored to be a part of the Alliance Family with you!

Gratefully yours,

Joshua Caleb Dillon

Spring Soiree: Back to Our Roots

Alliance Medical Ministry’s Annual Spring Soiree: Back to Our Roots on May 18, 2012 was a huge success.  Alliance would like to personally thank all the sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees for making Friday night’s event one to remember.  A special thanks to Wells Fargo, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, and WakeMed Health & Hospitals for sponsoring Alliance’s Annual Spring Soiree. The evening’s event honored Dr. Charles Mann, Provider, Co-Founder and faithful volunteer of Alliance Medical Ministry.  It was Dr. Mann’s passion for care that inspired him to bring the idea of a clinic for the working uninsured to Wake County and create Alliance Medical Ministry.

This year’s event was held at Alliance Medical Ministry to complement our theme of “Back to Our Roots.”  Alliance raised nearly $90,000, including $8,000 in auction items.  We are so grateful for the success of this year’s Annual Spring Soiree and to be able to continue to grow in our mission.