Partnering for Gwinnettians in need

Gwinnett Community Clinic co-founder Pam Kramer (L) and Board Member Parks Mann (right) show Texas Roadhouse Managing Partner Sam Roper GCC literature in the Texas Roadhouse Lobby. Photo by Emmett Clower

By Jessica Turner

SNELLVILLE- While stories about Gwinnett County’s prosperity and growth dominate the headlines, the fact remains that there are a number of Gwinnett County residents who are living in poverty or are in need of some form of assistance. Among those areas of needed assistance is health care. One clinic in Snellville if offering some reprieve for those Gwinnettians in need of medical services.
The Gwinnett Community Clinic,GCC, was created in 1989 by Dr. Lanny Lesser, Pam Kramer, RN and Madeline Estafen, members of the local medical community.
“Having worked in the medical field they saw that there was a need for care for those who are medically indigent,” Sheila Adcock, director of Marketing and Public Relations at Emory Eastside Medical Center and a Board Member at GCC, said. “This also helped to free space in the Emergency Rooms where the medically indigent often go for minor medical treatment because they have no other resources.”
GCC relies solely upon its partnership with Emory Eastside Medical Center, EEMC, and private funding to finance its operations, which are housed in the Heritage Center off Hwy. 78. EEMC provides the space rent free to the clinic. The Heritage Center is home to the GCC office, which is open for qualifying patients Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
“We have a very strict qualifying process that each patient must complete before their first appointment with a physician,” Akil Raheem, Executive Director of GCC, said. “We serve only the residents of Gwinnett County and patients must provide proof of other criteria such as household income. This qualifying process also allows us to look over any medical history prior to turning them over to the physician. We do ask for a per visit donation of $10, though no one is turned away for an inability to pay. ”
Patients are seen in the clinic Tuesday and Thursday nights. Over the course of a year, there will be over 3,000 patient visits to the GCC. Physicians and nurses from EEMC volunteer their time to see GCC patients. Community volunteers are also used to expedite patient check-in. What makes GCC unique from other indigent clinics is their underwriting by EEMC. This means that if a patient is in need of prescription medicine or further medical procedures, EEMC provides those for the patient at no charge.
“EEMC and the surrounding medical community have been very generous in their support of the clinic,” Adcock said. “Physicians have found brain tumors and cancer in patients here, it’s really quite amazing the level of care our patients receive.”
EEMC provides X-Rays and other diagnostic imaging that might be needed, laboratory tests and surgical procedures in addition to filling over 7,000 prescriptions a year.
“While the prescription drugs are provided by EEMC they are distributed by Carter Gorman’s Monfort Drugs in Lawrenceville,” Adcock said. Clinic patients are provided prescription drugs for up to six months, giving them ample time to locate other resources or to get back on their feet financially.
While the clinic could certainly not operate without its partnership with EEMC, it could not be nearly as efficient as it is without the community support of volunteers and financial contributions either. Private financial contributions help cover the costs of the clinic’s one full-time and three part-time staffers, equipment and technology. One of two major fundraisers this year is the 3rd Annual Gwinnett Community Clinic Golf Tournament, being held this year at the Country Club of Gwinnett on Monday, October 23.
“We have seen an increase in the need for care for the medically indigent,” Raheem said. “One of our goals in fundraising this year will be to hire a full-time Nurse Practitioner or Physicians Assistant who will be a constant resource for patient care.”
Longtime local supporters of the clinic include Brand Bank, Walgreen’s, Primerica, Walton EMC and the Gwinnett United Way’s Women of Legacy.
Another great source of support is coming from the brand new Snellville restaurant, Texas Roadhouse. This new steakhouse and “fall off the bones ribs” restaurant has made-in-house dressings, buttery yeast rolls and side dishes that are delicious accompaniments to their tasty entrees.
“Whenever Texas Roadhouse is new to a community, we choose a local charity to partner with,” Sam Roper, Managing Partner of the Snellville location, said. “When we found the Gwinnett Community Clinic, it seemed like a perfect fit and we are looking forward to a long relationship with them.”
In their first pledge of support, Texas Roadhouse contributed the proceeds from their pre-opening Family and Friends events to GCC.
“We donated a total of $6050.00 to GCC,” Roper said. “This is a combination of the total bar sales from the weekend as well as gratuities donated by our staff.”
“They have done just a great job jumping in from the very beginning to support the Clinic. We are just overwhelmed with their dedication to the community and their willingness to partner with us,” Adcock said of the Texas Roadhouse team.
For more information about Gwinnett Community Clinic call 770-985-1199.