As Alabamians rushed to help those in need following the frenzy of violent tornadoes that shredded parts of the state April 27, Baptist Health System (BHS) employees were on the front lines putting into action the BHS mission to “answer the call.”
Within a few days free first aid clinics were set up and functioning in four devastated communities in the state. And it started with an April 28 e-mail sent to employees by BHS president Shane Spees.
“There are no words to describe the losses of yesterday. And there are no words to describe the emptiness we feel today when looking for answers to the question ‘why?’” he wrote. “But our faith and the mission to serve others will always endure. And I hope you will join me in praying and reaching out with service and support for those who grieve today.”
Inspired and empowered by the message to serve, a few proactive staff members knew just what to do.
Juanita Williams in particular had the exact plan in mind, said Mark Belcher, vice president and chief development officer of the Baptist Health Foundation.
The physician marketing liaison for Princeton Baptist Medical Center, Williams suggested setting up a free first aid clinic at a former Baptist Health Center building in Pleasant Grove that had survived the storm.
“Over the years, [BHS] has had an enormous number of employees who have lived in or grown up in [the Pleasant Grove] area,” Belcher said. “We bought generators, filled our trucks and cars with medical supplies, antibiotics, tetanus shots and bottled water. Incredibly, by 1 p.m. on Friday (April 29) we were out there in Pleasant Grove with Dr. Vera Soong and volunteer nurses seeing patients.”
The clinic originated as a place to treat minor, residual injuries like cuts, burns and surface wounds. However, practitioners quickly realized they were caring for patients’ emotional and spiritual needs as well.
When one patient entered the clinic because he had stepped on a nail, it was the first opportunity he had to sit still, Belcher noted. From there he began to “process the nightmare he had been living for the past three days. Then, his emotional resolve began to unravel.”
“We came into this clinic as medical practitioners, but our role shifted,” Belcher said. “The clinic is really about people helping people. It’s been an amazing conglomeration of skills and talents, hearts and desire. There’s a cooperative spirit unlike anything I’ve ever seen. … Everyone has just jumped in to do whatever is needed. It’s been a place of healing — body and soul.”
The Pleasant Grove clinic demonstrated what needs could be filled, which led to more free clinics being quickly established in Cordova, Concord and Pratt City.
Gary Fisher, Baptist Health System’s director of church and faith relations, led the charge to get the supplies secured and clinics established.
“We started in Pleasant Grove specifically because we had a building there that could be used immediately for the clinic. In the other communities, we knew we’d have to go more mobile.
“Luckily, prior to the storms, we had scheduled a HealthFair mobile unit for this week,” he said. “We dispatched that mobile van to become the clinic in Pratt City. Then M-POWER ministries partnered with us to ensure we had the supplies we needed to get up and running,” he said. “We are seeing a lot of people in need of maintenance medications, so pharmacy needs are also being covered from the mobile unit.”
Fisher also noted that trained professional counselors were brought in to address the emotional stress victims are facing.
Cordova and Concord followed with mobile units of their own, and Williams was on the ground in Concord putting her idea to work just as she did at the Pleasant Grove clinic. Along with setting up the clinic, she is taking nurses door-to-door to care for those who are unable to come to the mobile unit.
At press time, more than 900 patients had been seen at the four clinics and more than 150 people had volunteered at the clinics.
Back at BHS headquarters in Birmingham, Tracy Hill, BHS’ human resources director, is working around the clock to keep volunteer staffing flowing seamlessly.
“Many, many folks at [BHS] have worked hard to staff the clinics and ensure they are stocked with all needed supplies,” she said. “Rarely have I seen a group work together so smoothly and efficiently to provide compassionate care to those who are hurting. What a wonderful witness to the love of God.”
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