A vision to provide healthcare to those who desperately need it but can’t afford it became a reality last week when the Rapha Clinic of West Georgia opened on Highway 78 in Temple.

The clinic is located in a building owned by Tanner Health System that has served various purposes in the past, but it has sat dormant for the last several years. Boasting three exam rooms, a reception area, storage, a counseling/prayer room and a kitchenette, it was the perfect location for Rapha Clinic Executive Director Sue Brockman and her band of volunteers.

“We certainly know there is a tremendous need for a clinic like this that is offering free services and partially free services based on qualifications,” said Tanner Health System President/CEO Loy Howard. “If you look at the economy and the number of uninsured patients in our region, it is very clear that there is a great need for a clinic like this and we just appreciate the organizers coming to us with the vision to get started. When they proposed what they wanted to do, it was a natural thing for Tanner to do because we had the property, we had the building and it was just kind of a win-win all the way around.”

Brockman began her plans for a community faith-based clinic nearly two years ago and the idea has been growing ever since. Medical professionals and other volunteers have freely given of themselves to make the idea work. With their help, the clinic will initially offer a wide range of medical services for those without insurance or the means to afford such care and in the future they plan to add dental care.

“One thing that is so significant about this is they’ve worked very hard to put together a good group of medical providers and clinicians that will be donating their time,” Howard said. “That’s the key. There are models like this across the United States and the key is really having good physicians and this clinic really seems to have that. I don’t think there will be any problems with demand; there will be a lot of demands for services.”

Dr. Jack Birge, chairman of the Carroll County Board of Health, said access to healthcare is one of the most pressing problems facing the United States and clinics such as the Rapha Clinic help fill a void, but can only do so through continued community support.

“Every community must become involved in facing this problem and without local participation there will be no solution,” Birge said. “This is why I became very excited when I learned that the Rapha Clinic, a free primary healthcare service, was being planned. I have since closely followed its evolution from a dream to reality and now it’s ready to open. I sincerely hope that our community will actively support this project in every way possible.”

The clinic is currently open by appointment only on Thursday nights from 6-8:30 p.m., but organizers expect the need to be so great that they will expand that schedule in the future.

“We’re hoping to add other days or evenings,” Brockman said. “I imagine it’s just a matter of time after we get the kinks worked out with what we’re doing right now that we’ll add another day for sure. The demand is so great. You’re almost ashamed when you drive home at night because there are so many people who need help.”

Not only has the clinic’s equipment, supplies and the building itself been donated, but doctors, nurses and other volunteers have stepped forward to donate their time to the cause as well.

Volunteer Diane Tavegia doesn’t have a medical background, but plans to volunteer at the clinic because she knows firsthand what it’s like to not have health insurance.

“I plan to do whatever they need me to do,” she said. “We went 11 years without healthcare and not long after we got healthcare, I got colon cancer. Thankfully, my insurance covered it, but I know how difficult it is for people who don’t have health coverage.”

Howard said it’s this volunteer spirit and the community taking control of their own healthcare that is the future model for healthcare reform.

“People may ask why Tanner would provide resources for something like this, but it is far better for patients to receive care in a clinic setting than to not get the care and end up in the emergency room in a much more acute status,” he said. “Here they can get their medications and they get things like their diabetes under control, versus ending up costing the healthcare system far more when they end up going to the emergency room with that acute status.

“This, to me, when you want to talk about healthcare reform, is one of the models for the future. This is a classic example at the community level — not waiting for Washington, not waiting for Atlanta — this is the community, thanks to the organizers of this clinic, saying, ‘We’re going to take care of own community.’ To me, that’s the ultimate form of healthcare reform.”

The clinic will continue to operate as long as volunteers continue to step forward and monetary donations are received to serve the community at no cost to those recipients who meet clinic qualifications. Donations can be made to The Rapha Clinic of West Georgia, P.O. Box 1367, Temple, Ga. 30179.

“Unfortunately, to give free services is not free,” Brockman said.

Clinic appointments can be made by calling 770-562-4501.