When most people need medical care they call a physician or visit the local hospital. However, those who live in rural areas are often left behind when it comes to health care. Economic factors, cultural and social differences, educational limitations and the sheer isolation of living in remote areas all combine to make medical treatment hard to access.

Enter Adventist Health’s Rural Health Clinics. Their mission is to offer medical treatment in underserved areas aimed at low-income households and individuals. The west coast health system currently operates 16 clinics in Northern and Central California. All sites provide primary care services and some locations also offer obstetrics and perinatal support, mental health, chiropractic and nutritional services, dentistry and physical therapy.

“Our rural health clinics see nearly 300,000 patients annually,” said Darwin Remboldt, vice president of Clinic Services for Adventist Health. “Most of our patients would not have access to health care or the ability to afford it without this program.”

Gail Nickerson, director of Clinic Operations for Adventist Health, echoes Remboldt’s sentiments. “We reach so many people who would otherwise have no access to medical care,” said Nickerson. “And we’re not only providing health care. We’re touching lives and hearts in the process.”

A Smile Says it All

Amy* was an active, happy-go-lucky teenager who loved music, dancing, riding horses and hanging out with friends. However, at 14, her parents noticed that Amy’s handwriting was deteriorating at an alarming rate. A few months later, a doctor diagnosed her with multiple sclerosis. By 18, Amy had a gastric tube inserted because she couldn’t swallow well enough to take in the necessary calories to maintain her weight. She became dependent on a wheelchair and quickly lost all motor function.

Today, Amy is bed-bound and receives care from her mother in their country home far from any hospital. Due to her condition, Amy cannot leave the house unless she is transported by ambulance.

Before Central Valley Family Health began its House Calls program, Amy only saw a health care provider about once every two years. Now, thanks to the clinic—operated by Central Valley General Hospital in Kings County—a nurse practitioner visits Amy at home twice a month. As a result, she receives more adequate medical treatment and her mother gets the support she needs to continue caring for Amy. Although she can no longer communicate verbally, Amy’s smiles during the visits say it all.

A Simple Phone Call

Nothing is quite as upsetting to a mother as when her child is injured. Such was the feeling that Monica* had when her son, Miguel*, broke his arm. To make matters worse, the fracture was severe and Miguel needed to see an orthopedic specialist. After trying to schedule an appointment at an area hospital, Monica became frustrated and discouraged because the staff told her Miguel would have to wait weeks to see a doctor. Not knowing what else to do, she turned to Selma Community Hospital’s Fowler Rural Health Clinic in Fresno County for help.

After hearing Monica’s story, the office manager at the clinic made a couple of phone calls and was able set up an appointment with a specialist that same afternoon. As a result, the little boy received the care he needed and his arm healed without deformity. Monica and her family continue to use the clinic for their health care needs, and one of its doctors recently delivered their latest family addition.

The Gift of Caring

Soon after Redbud Family Health Center in Clearlake, Calif., opened, Joan* came in to see her doctor in his new location. She noticed that the new clinic—which is operated by Redbud Community Hospital—was more spacious, comfortable and welcoming for patients. However, what impressed Joan the most was the care and warmth she received from the clinic staff.

“I felt at home there,” recalled Joan. “The staff made me feel like a person, rather than just someone being herded through the process like an animal in a kennel.”

As a result of her experience, Joan wanted to give something back. She decided to commission a painting for the new facility showing Christ with open arms. Engraved in metal, the frame reads: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The picture now hangs in the hallway where all the patients who visit the clinic can see it.

Going the Extra Mile

Employees at Redbud Community Hospital’s Middletown Medical Clinic often spend personal time helping patients. Recently Hannah*, a patient of the clinic, was in need of special antibiotics for a painful chronic condition. Because Hannah doesn’t earn much money, she needed to secure financial help in order to obtain the medication. Since there wasn’t time at the office to resolve the issue, the medical assistant helping Hannah spent her evening at home researching patient assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Not only did she find help for Hannah, she also applied to the assistance program so Hannah wouldn’t have to hassle with all the paperwork. As a result, the happy and grateful patient received a 90-day supply of free medication, giving her three months of physical, mental and financial relief.

Arthur*, another Middletown Medical Clinic patient, was having problems dealing with his health insurance company. He was told that he would have to pay 50 percent of all office visit charges and that he would need to travel more than a hour from his home for lab work. The medical assistant helping Arthur tackled his problem during her lunch break and resolved it with his insurance company. Arthur’s office visits to the clinic now are completely covered, and he can have his lab work done locally. A very grateful Arthur now visits the clinic routinely.

“Our rural health clinics help fulfill an integral part of our mission at Adventist Health,” said Remboldt. “And behind each visit lies a compelling story of help and hope.”