Along with doctors, nurse practioners and a physician's assistant, Leta Williams, Gail Binion, Inda Browning and Linda Lambert enable the working uninsured to get the care they need at the Community Clinic. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge]

Imagine this: You're working hard during tight times to provide for your family, you get sick, and can't afford to go to the doctor. You don't have insurance so the expense of a doctor's visit might mean your family doesn't eat dinner that week. You also can't justify taking time off work to make that trip to the doctor.

For nearly five years, the Community Clinic has provided an outlet for the hundreds of men and women in Shelbyville who are working, yet without health insurance.

As a result of the perseverance of a former Times-Gazette reporter along with other city officials, the Community Clinic opened its doors Sept. 11, 2003.

"Ann Bullard, a former T-G reporter, saw a need for the uninsured workers in the city of Shelbyville," said Gail Binion, who volunteers her time as the clinical director. "She spoke to numerous community leaders about forming a clinic and was instrumental in getting the clinic started."

A group was formed in January 2003 and nine months later the clinic opened. It received a huge boost in funding from Tyson, which pledged $75,000 over a five-year period, one reason the clinic was up and running so quickly.

Along with Tyson, funds from the city, state grants, private donations and fundraisers -- and a mostly volunteer staff -- have kept the clinic running efficiently, allowing more than 2,000 people to receive care last year.

Bedford County donates the 844 Union St. building to the clinic; Binion said they only pay $150 a month for utilities.

Of patients seen last year, 515 were white males, 785 were white females, 63 were black males, 121 were black females, 291 were Hispanic males and 242 were Hispanic females.

There is no cost to receive care at the Community Clinic and medications are often free as a result of donations made by other medical practices. When the clinic does not have the necessary medication on hand prescriptions are written to Wal-Mart or Kroger, which can fill most prescriptions for $4.

Certain requirements must be met to be eligible for Community Clinic medical care. Patients must have no insurance, at least one person in the household must be working, patients must live or work in Bedford County and the patient's household income cannot exceed 200 percent above poverty guidelines.

A single person cannot make more than $20,420 annually, $27,380 (family of two), $34,340 (family of three), $41,300 (family of four), $48,260 (family of five), $55,220 (family of six), $52,180 (family of seven) and $69,140 is the annual income limit for a family of eight.

While there is no cost for patients at the clinic, very limited charges are made for patient referrals to Bedford County Medical Center for X-rays and lab work -- as long as patients go to the clinic first.

"The hospital has been very supportive of our clinic," said Binion, noting, through the clinic, patients can receive lab work and X-rays at the hospital for little cost with the cost of lab work averaging about $10 per patient.

"Because of private donations, we have been able to purchase an EKG machine for our office," said Binion. Dr. Clifford Girard, a cardiologist, donates his time in the office for patients with cardiac problems and hypertension.

Along with Girard, doctors Lawrence Schull and Frank Jayakody volunteer their services about one night a month.

Most often, patients are seen by Karen Jones, Lynette Womble and Conan Carter, nurse practitioners, and Aubrey Cawthon, a physician's assistant, all who volunteer several times a month.

Binion, a retired registered nurse, volunteers almost a full work week of her time as clinic director. Inda Browning, one of two paid workers, performs administrative duties and they have one paid licensed practical nurse on the staff. Leta Williams is the sole administrative volunteer at this time.

The clinic takes patients by appointment Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 5 p.m., which allows the staff to come in after work. It also helps patients avoid missing work to visit the office. While walk-ins cannot be accomodated, Binion said they will never refuse medical attention to a sick child.

For Binion, all the time she's invested into the clinic is more than worth it.

"I love the patients," said Binion, reflecting on her instrumental role at the clinic. "God has blessed me so much so I wanted to give back...but I feel like I am being blessed so much more by working here."

Dr. Kent Clark, the hospitalist at Bedford County Medical Center, oversees the working of the clinic as medical director. Clark and Binion, along with Kay Adcock, Karen Thrasher, Jenni Feldhaus, Valerie McConnell, Pat Finney, Derrick Taylor, Dr. Carlos Mejia, Richard Dugger, Bobby Fox, JoAnn Holland, Allen Lovelace, Dr. B. Kaczmarska, The Rev. Bobby Scott, Wally Taylor, Fay Womble and Roger Hawks make up the clinic's board of directors.

The board is currently organizing its next fundraiser, "It's In The Bag Goes Country," which will be held April 18 at the Blue Ribbon Circle. For more information on that, to volunteer at the Community Clinic, or to make an appointment, contact Binion at 684-6772.