Hope Clinic in Garland has a lot to celebrate these days. The 501(c)3 nonprofit, faith-based community clinic has been providing medical care and resources for Garland’s medically indigent since 2002, operating out of small, overcrowded quarters. It recently moved into a newly renovated facility that more than doubles patient-care space.
Adding to the excitement, the clinic received the National Committee for Quality Assurance Level 3 recognition as a patient-centered medical home—the organization’s top certification.
“Hope Clinic serves almost 2,000 poor, economically disadvantaged patients who have no payment sources—and they deliver care to that population on par with full-pay clinics,” said Carl Couch, MD, president of Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and member of the clinic’s board of directors.
The clinic, which affiliated with Baylor Health Care System in 2009, will show off its new home at 800 South 6th Street and celebrate the NCQA Level 3 recognition at a ribbon cutting ceremony, open house and tours of the facility at 11 a.m. Friday, April 17. The public is invited.
“It’s been an exciting time,” said Jenny Williams, executive director of Hope Clinic. “These are ‘gold star’ accomplishments for us. Since Baylor became a key sponsor, we’ve developed a strong working relationship with Baylor Medical Center at Garland and HealthTexas Provider Network.”
Baylor Scott & White Health and HTPN operate the Baylor Clinics program, consisting of eight primary care clinics and supporting programs targeting underserved Dallas-Fort Worth patients.
“The wonderful part about this program is that it’s a charitable program,” said Williams. “That qualifies our patients at 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which means they don’t pay anything for medical care. We do ask for donations for medical services provided.”
Patients must be uninsured to qualify for services. From primary care to chronic disease management and prescription assistance programs, from behavioral health care to spiritual care, the clinic assists those most in need. Last year, prescription assistance totaled $500,000. Under a new arrangement with North Texas Food Bank, Hope Clinic patients with dietary restrictions can obtain food boxes designed for diabetes and heart disease.
Hope Clinic has 13 paid staff, including a full-time and part-time physician, supported by a network of 48 volunteer physicians who provide pro bono medical care. Donations and a cadre of 80 volunteers, including physicians, support its operation.
The clinic has many friends like MEDCO Construction, the Baylor partner that renovated the new facility. MEDCO helped defray construction costs by obtaining in-kind donations of building materials. Thanks to its friends and as the result of a successful capital campaign, the clinic moved into its facility free of debt.
“Hope Clinic is all about giving back,” said Williams. “Our patients deserve this commitment to quality. Providing charitable medical care is not about enabling people. Poverty opens up a multitude of needs. We give our patients the necessary tools and resources, equipping them to move forward in life.”
About Baylor Scott & White Health: Baylor Scott & White Health, the organization formed from the 2013 merger between Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare, is the largest nonprofit health care system in Texas. With total assets of $9 billion* and serving a population larger than the state of Virginia, Baylor Scott & White Health has the vision and resources to provide patients continued quality care while creating a model system for a changing health care environment. BaylorScottandWhite.com
* based on unaudited 2014 fiscal year statements