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Clinic has offered care to the uninsured since '94

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By Laura Dempsey , Staff Writer Updated 5:58 PM Saturday, June 13, 2009

DAYTON— Since 1994, Reach Out of Montgomery County, a free clinic for the uninsured, was essentially homeless, bouncing back and forth between a few different donated offices.

In 2006, the clinic moved into its permanent residence, tucked next to Miami Valley Hospital at 25 E. Foraker St., Dayton.

Wherever they’ve been, uninsured people in need of medical care have found the clinic, staffed by about five full-time workers and 450 volunteers, including doctors, nurses, medical students, pharmacists, and office workers. On Saturday, June 13, the Reach Out clinic held an open house to celebrate three years in its clean, well-lighted building and the first anniversary of its collaboration with Muslim Clinic of Ohio, which has become a vibrant partner in the community clinic.

Sharon Sherlock, executive director, characterizes Reach Out as a true melting pot.

“This is neutral territory,” she said, describing the waiting room, with its multi-language signage, as a place where “people said people of different ethnicities wouldn’t sit near each other — but they do.”

“Actually,” she laughed, “we have more ‘territorial’ trouble between doctors from Miami Valley and Kettering! But I tell everybody, ‘Leave your hat at the door. This is about treating patients.’”

Reach Out is funded by Wright State’s Boonshoft School of Medicine, Public Health of Dayton, the Montgomery County Medical County and Miami Valley Hospital, among other donors. They provide pediatric care on Mondays; chronic care follow-up on Tuesday afternoons; physicals on Tuesday evenings; an adult clinic with Spanish interpreter on Wednesday evenings and an adult clinic on Thursday evenings, sponsored by the Muslim Clinic of Ohio.

Requirements for treatment are residency in Montgomery County, total lack of insurance, and an income 250 percent of poverty level.

“Last year, 17 percent of our clients were food-service workers,” said Maureen Bradley, who works the front desk. “We have people working in nursing homes — essentially doing medical work, but who have no insurance.”

“Now we’re getting in a lot of ex-Delphi workers, some GM folk,” added Matt Rhoden, who works with clinic marketing.

The open house was a chance to show off the clinic, said Jeanne Estridge, program manager.

“People think it’s going to be a dump,” she said. “But look around — it’s beautiful, and we’re very proud.”

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If you are uninsured and does not have insurance, you should check out the website http://UninsuredAmerica.blogspot.co... - John Mayer, California

daledagostino
2:38 AM, 6/23/2009

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To DDN,
Patriot is any thing but.....

Jim
9:11 PM, 6/14/2009

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....and I give that last post 10 minutes before DDN censors it...kind of like Iran's press and current government.

TO DDN
5:52 PM, 6/14/2009

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If you are interested in the church folk opinion...contact Reverend J. Wright at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. The vast majority seem to detest Jews, whites, Christians and Catholics. They seem to however have a soft spot for Muslims and current presidents. Of course I suspect you would just as soon turn a blind eye to this little,,,,,,situation and focus on "other" churches.

to patriot
5:50 PM, 6/14/2009

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Just because you have health insurance doesn't mean that you are covered for serious illnesses. Every policy has lifetime limitations, usually around 300 hundred thousand dollars. Treatment for cancer and other serious diseases can easily exceed these limits within a year or two. After that you are on your own! The United States is the ONLY first world nation where this can happen.

karon
4:18 PM, 6/14/2009

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