Windham – The working poor in and around Windham have enough problems to worry about; medical care is no longer among them.
Thanks to doctors Sue Meyer, M.D. and her husband, Mark Meyer, M.D., Faithful Servants Care Center is expanding beyond Franklin County, where they co-founded the not-for-profit organization about six years ago. As of February 5, they have opened a new clinic — their fourth — at Renaissance Family Center.
Located in the former-school-turned-community-center at 9005 Wilverne Drive, Windham Clinic at Renaissance Family Center is serving patients of all ages on a walk-in basis on Mondays (4-7pm every Monday) and Wednesdays (9-11:30am the first Wednesday of the month, 1:30-4pm the second Wednesday of the month, 4-7pm the third Wednesday of the month, and 9-11:30am the fourth Wednesday of the month). More hours of operation may be added later in response to community needs.
Faithful Servants Care Center provides free urgent health care services “with a Christ-like compassion for those without insurance or adequate finances to access traditional medical care.” To qualify, patients must have no insurance and have income at or below 200% of poverty level. (That’s an annual income of $24,120 for a single person; $32,480 for a household size of two; $57,560 for a housed size of five.) Patients must bring their Medicaid or Medicare cards.
“We hope to help lift this community up,” said Dr. Sue Meyer during a recent tour of the facility. “We are here to provide dignity and care for those who ordinarily might be turned away. In an underserved area, this can mean access to care for those who may have never had it before. They’ll get care as good here as anyone would get anywhere else.”
Explaining their motivation, Dr. Meyer said, “This is a faith-based organization operated by medical professional volunteers. You don’t have to have the same beliefs to get care here. Jesus set the model for giving people physical healing first. As Christians, we just want to serve as His hands and feet.”
Minor, urgent and acute illnesses and injuries are covered, including infections (upper respiratory, urinary tract, ear, etc.), mild injuries, strains, sprains, rashes, allergies, asthma, even well-child-care visits including immunizations. Blood pressure and diabetes checks are also provided. (Obstetrical and mental health care services are not provided.) Pastoral support and counseling are available upon request. An in-house pharmacy also provides urgent care medications at no or low cost (no controlled substances).
Operating as a consortium, Faithful Servants partners with Portage County Combined General Health District (Medical Director Mark Arredondo, M.D; Health Commissioner Joseph Diorio; Director of Nursing Rosemary Ferraro) UH Medical Center, the Village of Windham, Kent State University’s College of Nursing, and the Renaissance Family Center (Tim Weisse) to remove or reduce barriers to health care services for the community.
“UH Portage Medical Center has agreed to support the Faithful Servants mission by providing supplies, a number of free screenings and assistance with finding provider volunteers,” Dr. Meyer said. “Together, UH Portage and Faithful Servants hope to elevate healthcare and increase access to meet the needs of the Windham Community.”
“We are a holistic model of collaboration; a one-stop hub for social services,” commented Pastor David Gray, founding board member at Renaissance Family Center. “This clinic will provide a vital missing piece of the puzzle our residents truly need. We also plan to add a dental office soon!”
In addition to the free health clinic, the Renaissance Family Center also houses the Windham Branch of the Portage County Library, the Salvation Army, Townhall II, Greentree Counseling Center, the Portage County Red Shield Food Pantry, Portage County Adult Basic and Literacy Education, pregnancy/new mother resources, Second Blessings thrift shop, along with after-school programs, senior activities, community dinners, Bible studies, an open gym, fitness classes and weight rooms.
