Americans have struggled for decades to afford health care and it’s not uncommon for many of us who can’t afford health care or insurance to end up in hospital emergency rooms — particularly as their health problems deteriorate and become more difficult to treat.
In Hernando County, residents are fortunate to have the Crescent Community Clinic.
Founded in 2008 in Brooksville by physicians from the county’s Muslim community, its mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of the underserved, indigent and uninsured and to provide the best health care for all, regardless of ability to pay.
After moving from Brooksville to Spring Hill in 2011, over 45,000 patient visits have been provided at the clinic. Today, figures show that between Jan. 1 and June 30 this year, volunteers at the clinic contributed over 7,000 hours of support services. During the same time, 23 licensed professionals provided $277,867 in health care for 1,643 patients.
“This shows how vital the clinic is and how it saves taxpayers and hospital charity care millions of dollars each year,” said Barbara Sweinberg, the administrator of the Crescent Community Clinic.
She added that it’s only because the clinic’s licensed providers and general support staff volunteer so many hours each year that access to health care is available for those who otherwise would rely on hospital emergency rooms for non-emergent care.
“When the uninsured use hospital emergency rooms for non-emergent care it costs everyone,”she said. “The clinic’s quality healthcare services stabilize patients so they do not have to rely on hospital emergency rooms.”
Nick Morana, longtime supporter of Crescent Community Clinic and Board Director of Hernando County Enrichment Centers said, “I am very proud of the clinic because they do so many good things for those who are less fortunate and have no insurance and need medical attention.”
“I hope and pray that the clinic can grow and that the number of doctors volunteering their time increases,” he said. “It’s truly a labor of love.”
Since its launch, Crescent Community Clinic has been totally self-sustaining and independent of government funding. But the ever growing need to expand health care services is evidenced by the 25 to 30 new applications received by the clinic each month from the less fortunate residents of the county seeking a wide variety of health services.
“The clinic relies on the donations of the community to meet the yearly budget,” Sweinberg says. “To meet this increasing need for health care, the clinic is embarking on a Capital Campaign to achieve their goal of $350,000.”
“In today’s economic climate,” said Sweinberg, “it is time for us to seek the community’s support in order for the clinic to continue to be a vital health care organization for the uninsured and indigent citizens of Hernando County.”
“Over 70 percent of our patients are considered homeless or near homeless,” she said.
According to AARP, Florida ranks 44th in the nation in individual charitable giving and 50th in the nation in volunteering. However, individual charitable giving has been at an all-time low so your financial support, however small, will help Crescent Community Clinic continue to provide more health care to the uninsured, indigent and under-served in Hernando County.
“I could fill the pages of a book describing how honored I am to work on behalf of the clinic and its patients,” said Sweinberg.
“It has been both challenging and rewarding and I hope the community will help support us with the expansion of clinic services and continued success.”
CRESCENT COMMUNITY CLINIC SERVICES
Crescent Community Clinic is at the forefront in providing solutions to the many health concerns in Hernando County:
For those with mental health concerns, patients have access to psychiatrists, therapists and counselors.
The Pharmaceutical Prescription Assistance program provided over $2,000,000 of free medication for their patients so far this year. This program has saved patients the cost of their prescriptions.
Patients who use tobacco products must enroll in the Tools to Quit™ free smoking cessation program. The clinic is very proud of their successes in stopping the use of tobacco products.
Obesity and diabetes are prevalent nationwide and Hernando County is no different. To combat these health issues, the clinic provides individual patient counseling and nutrition education to assist obese patients reach a healthy weight and avoid diabetes.
The Boutique of Hope offers bras, hats, scarves and wigs for women undergoing chemotherapy and radiation and is staffed by volunteers who are cancer survivors.
Can you imagine having a chronic health condition or a mental health diagnosis and not able to afford any medication?
The Crescent Community Clinic is a vital resource in Hernando County. Please help the clinic provide more health care to the uninsured, indigent and under-served in our county.
Any contribution, however small, is greatly appreciated.
Send to:
Barbara Sweinberg, Administrator
Crescent Community Clinic,
5244 Commercial Way,
Spring Hill, FL 34606.
CONTACT INFO:
Crescent Community Clinic,
5244 Commercial Way
Spring Hill, FL 34606
Telephone:
352-610-9916
352-263-1218
