Debbie Allison: living faith through service to others

Debbie Allison has admired Alliance Medical Ministry since the beginning. “I heard about Alliance at my church, First United Methodist Church in Cary, when it was first being organized in Wake County.” From the first time that Debbie heard about Alliance, she has been inspired by the mission. “For years I've felt that our approach to healthcare in the United States is both shortsighted and shows a disregard for human needs. With all the wealth in our country, we should be doing a better job of providing basic healthcare to everyone, not just those who can afford insurance.” It was the concept of Alliance that interested Debbie from the start, and the more she learned about it the more she wanted to help. “I was interested in how Alliance works with healthcare resources in Wake County to provide healthcare that both reduces total cost and improves people's health”. So as soon as Debbie began working part time and had an opportunity to volunteer, she increased her involvement Alliance family!

Debbie assists Ingrid Escobar, Patient Referral Coordinator, with referrals for specialist care. “It could be calling the specialist office who is providing free access, calling WakeMed or UNC to arrange an appointment, it could be gathering and sending the patient information that we provide to the specialist, or it could be calling the client to notify or remind them of their appointment or actions needed.” Debbie is thrilled at the opportunity to help improve the health of patients here with every phone call that she makes. “While I'm not a trained healthcare provider, this work affords me the opportunity to have a direct impact on patient needs.”

What Debbie admires most about Alliance, is the compassion and dedication of the people who work here. “Every time I'm here I see both staff and volunteers who are providing compassionate care to a community of God's people. They are living their faith through services to others.”

“You don't have to be in the healthcare field to make an impact in someone's life at Alliance. Take the leap and contact our volunteer coordinator to learn how you too can be a part of this important faith based community service!”

We appreciate everything that Debbie does at Alliance Medical Ministry. If you are interested in volunteering, we encourage you to contact Elizabeth Daniel at edaniel@alliancemedicalministry.org to learn about the different opportunities and how you can utilize your skills to better fulfill the needs of our patients here at Alliance.

Dr. Roy: “ It’s about treating the whole person”

When Dr. Duane Roy III (“Skip”) joined the Alliance family in February of this year, he was looking for a way to help his community. “I knew that when I semi-retired, I wanted to give back. And faith is an extremely important part of my life, so I wanted to seek out a faith-based organization.”

Dr. Roy trained as a physical therapist in the 1960’s, and in 1969 he started his career at Wake Med. During his last years at Wake Med, Dr. Roy became acquainted with Alliance Medical Ministry.  He was inspired by Alliance’s mission to treat the working poor of the Raleigh community, and has since volunteered every Thursday to provide physical therapy for patients here.

            Dr. Roy believes that Alliance provides medical professionals with an excellent opportunity to give back to the community, and he feels that it is the responsibility of medical professionals such as him to help the low-income working population of Raleigh.

He went on to discuss what he admires most about Alliance. “It’s a supportive environment, and a really great team-everybody just plays so well together.”

Dr. Roy also admires the unique way that Alliance treats patients. “I really appreciate that faith-based aspect of what we do, it’s about treating the whole person and not just the partial condition. A lot of these people with back and neck problems, its just life that’s happening. I can help a little with (physical therapy), but we need the whole team to truly care for them.”

Dr. Roy encourages health professionals to join Alliance as a rewarding volunteer experience. “We (health professionals) choose these jobs, not typically for the money, but because we want to make a difference and help people. Alliance provides that opportunity.”  

 

“She believed she could, so she did.”

“I was unbelievably out of breath walking to the door,” shared Jamie.  At the young age of 26, Jamie was hospitalized for H1N1 & double pneumonia for an extended amount of time.  Jamie faced that after being sick for so long she physically didn’t have the stamina or endurance to walk very long which prevented her from work that she needed.  After she concluded physical therapy during her time in the hospital, Jamie found her weight back to what is was when she was admitted.  One January day, she came across a flyer that read "Christian Women’s Job Corps" offering a life and job skills class at no cost to help build resume and interview skills.  At the end of the program Jamie would be paired with a mentor to guide her through the physical goals as well the goals she had for herself to find a job.  Jamie may have never had the opportunity to bless us here at Alliance if she hadn’t taken the courageous leap of faith towards Christian Women Job Corps that day, despite all of her setbacks. 

      Soon after she was paired with her mentor, Jamie was informed by a friend of a local trainer that was willing to work with her and continues to work with her to meet the goals she has placed for herself.  Shorty after Jamie started meeting with her trainer she was referred to Alliance. Her father was the only one employed at the time which did not settle well with Jamie because she knew in order to start working again; she needed to seek further treatment.  Jamie’s appreciation for a holistic weight loss approach led her to a medical home here at Alliance.

      “Alliance didn’t make me feel ashamed about the shape I was in,” shared Jamie. She has been a patient of Alliance for almost three years and continues to grace us with her vibrant smile and loving nature.  She shares that her time spent at Alliance has opened her eyes to the proper medical care that she needs.  Obtaining good health has been a journey for Jamie as she continues to “manage portions and participate in daily activities.”  Dr. Lewis has been an inspiration for Jamie over the years at Alliance through her love and support.  “She is truly someone special,” says Jamie.  Today Jamie has lost 130 pounds and her success is not over.  Her hard work and dedication for obtaining a healthy lifestyle continues.  Jamie holds the daily reminder around her neck in her hand as she says aloud “she believed she could, so she did.”  This daily inspiration is a keepsake for Jamie to remind herself to never give up.  She shares that Alliance shined a light of hope in her life when she thought there wasn’t any left.  Her aspirations further beyond the weight loss goals she has placed for herself.  Jamie has a strong passion to get back into school to advance her education to land a job as a Certified Nursing Assistant.  The strong desire that Alliance represents for helping others receive the care they need has inspired Jamie to follow in the paths of those she has met.  “I'm not where I want to be yet, just beginning in so many ways.  But when I look back and see where I came from, I am proud of myself, not prideful but proud that I didn't give up and take the easy way out or not try at all.”

WHAT DOES FEDERAL HEALTH REFORM MEAN FOR ALLIANCE? By Dana E. Simpson, Esq. Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P and Alliance Medical Ministry Board Member

What does federal health reform mean for Alliance Medical Ministry? Will reform help all of Alliance’s patients obtain health insurance coverage? These are common questions asked by many Alliance supporters. As we move closer to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) in 2014, it is becoming clear that (unfortunately) the ACA will not solve the problem of the working uninsured in our community and there will continue to be a great need for Alliance’s services. The ACA should help provide insurance coverage for some Alliance patients, but working uninsured individuals with incomes at or below the federal poverty level will continue to lack access to affordable insurance coverage. Here’s how it will work. Approximately 98% of Alliance’s patients have incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level. The ACA will help subsidize the purchase of private health insurance through a federal exchange for Alliance patients with incomes between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level. Ironically, however, the ACA will not provide insurance coverage for those Alliance patients with the fewest financial means - namely those at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. This is because the ACA was initially designed to expand Medicaid coverage for lower income adults, but the State of North Carolina has chosen not to expand Medicaid at this time.

The lack of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina means that a large number of working adults in our community will remain uninsured. Recent estimates by the NC Institute of Medicine found that approximately 123,000 adult residents of Wake County lack access to affordable acute and primary medical care. If 50% of these residents receive subsidies to purchase health insurance (which is consistent with initial Congressional Budget Office estimates), then this will still leave 75,000 Wake County residents without insurance. Last year, Alliance provided a primary care home for 8,000 active patients. This representsjust 10.5 percent of all Wake County residents who will lack access to affordable insurance coverage following implementation of the ACA in 2014. These numbers make it clear that the need for Alliance’s primary care services in our community will continue.

Although Alliance’s services will still be very much in demand, implementation of the ACA will necessitate change for some current Alliance patients. The Alliance staff and Board of Directors are working on developing a plan to help our patients who become eligible for federally subsidized private health insurance in transitioning to new health care providers that accept such insurance. This will allow Alliance to create additional capacity for the thousands of other low-income working uninsured adults that have not previously been able to become patients at Alliance due to capacity limitations.

The staff and Board are committed to ensuring that Alliance continues to provide a medical home and compassionate care for the working uninsured in our community. We need the continued financial support of our donors to allow Alliance to sustain its critical mission during this time of health care transition. While we all pray that one day everyone in our community will have access to affordable health insurance, until that time comes the staff, volunteers, and supporters of Alliance will continue to live out our calling to “Love Thy Neighbor.”

A Good Match for Tracey

“I came in crying and Dr. McLaurin said, ‘Don’t worry, we will fix you from head to toe.”

Tracey came to Alliance four years ago following the emergency room. She was most surprised to find “a doctor that cares.” At Alliance she has been able to manage her hypertension, but more importantly she has found a place where she feels safe and can share.

“At Alliance I found assurance. I was able to get my medications and referrals to other services.” Then at the suggestion of her doctor, Tracey found Pastoral Care and Counseling to deal with anxiety and issues from the past that impacted her overall health.

“Toby kept encouraging me until I felt comfortable to speak,” shared Tracey. “Before I felt scattered and lost. Now I feel like I finally have roots firmly planted and have started to bloom.” Toby, our Director of Pastoral Care and Counseling, currently meets with Tracey every two weeks to work through her anxiety.

“As Tracey has grown to trust in our care, she has grown to trust herself and her ability to approach adversity differently,” shared Toby. “It is a blessing to watch her transform as she discovers herself in new ways and makes health choices that reflect the fruit of her improved self care.”

“I am so proud of Tracey!” shared Dr. McLaurin. “She truly has come a long way since she became our patient.” Tracey found a perfect match at Alliance. Together with Dr. McLaurin and Toby she can address many issues to improve her overall health and life.

Carol's Story

     “I knew I needed to do something, but I didn’t have anywhere to go once I lost my insurance,” Carol started. Carol, 55, has been employed from the age of 16 and had always received benefits through her employer. She explained how fortunate she’d been to have always had a job and access to care, but because of the economic downturn, her employer had no choice but to make budget cuts. As is often the case, benefits were part of the cut.

     “I’m chronically ill, although I feel healthy. I’ve had a heart murmur for about 20 years now, and I’m diabetic,” Carol explained. “So, I need to see a doctor regularly for wellness checks.” After she lost her insurance, she was trying to maintain her health on her own and buying insulin for $24 a bottle from Wal-Mart.

     Carol is employed as a cook by White Plains Children’s Center, which is a mission of White Plains United Methodist Church. “We do good work. The people there are good,” she exclaimed when asked about her job and how she came to Alliance. When she lost her insurance, someone at the church recommended that she reach out to Alliance Medical Ministry. After visiting the ACC with a severe headache from her diabetic condition, she became a patient. Carol’s former internist explained her medical history to her new doctor at Alliance, Dr. Lewis, who referred her to cardiologist, Dr. Paar.

     Although Carol was asymptomatic, Dr. Paar monitored her heart closely. In November of 2011, she experienced what seemed like a panic attack. She could hardly breathe. She tried lying down, sitting up, getting some fresh air, but nothing seemed to help. She didn’t attribute the shortness of breath to a heart problem, but when she explained the instance to Dr. Paar, he told her “This is the beginning.” She had gone into aortic stenosis. It was time for her to have heart surgery.

     “Bottom line, Alliance has just been a blessing. It came at a perfect time for me. Everything happens for a reason!” Carol said. Had she not had access to care, she may not have realized that her heart was the cause of her sudden onset symptoms, or that they were anything more than a panic attack. “I’ve come out of this better off. Alliance referred me to Dr. Hunter at WakeMed for my heart surgery and since then I’ve been seeing Dr. Lewis once every three months. The first breath of air I took in the ICU after my surgery was indescribable. I feel so much better.”

     Through the Patient Assistance Program, Carol has received over $20,000 in insulin thus far. “It’s wonderful!” she said of the program. “I’ll take care of myself. I want to be healthy. I just need to be able to do the things I need to do and have the things I need to take care of myself. I’ll listen to my doctors!” At $24 a bottle, it’s understandable the challenges she faced. “I’m so grateful.”

WRAL: For 10 years, Alliance Medical Ministry helps working poor

Alliance was featured on WRAL's "Good Things" segment last Friday. We're honored! Check out the video and please share it!

http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/healthteam/video/12311178/#/vid12311178