In today's world, healthcare is a basic human right. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to healthcare due to financial constraints or lack of health insurance. This is where the Free Medical Clinic of Aiken, a nonprofit organization, comes in. They offer a safety net for those who cannot afford health insurance, ensuring that they receive the care they need to live a healthy life. The clinic has been providing free healthcare in our community since 1998 when it was formed by ACTS (Area Churches Together Serving) and was called ACTS of Caring Clinic. Since then, the clinic has grown and expanded its services and is now under its own direction and overseen by its Board of Directors.
The importance of this nonprofit providing free healthcare to people in our area cannot be overstated. According to the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health, 16.8% of adults in South Carolina are uninsured. In Aiken County, that number is even higher, clocking in at 19% of adults under the age of 65 being uninsured. Many people without insurance go without medical care because they cannot afford it, which can lead to serious health problems down the line. Orion Jeter, the Executive Director of the clinic, said, “Our approach is holistic, positive, incremental and focused on forward progress. We help people who, for whatever reason, have had challenges interrupt their pursuit of abundant living. We help them holistically put pieces back together; we meet people where they are. When we invest in individuals, we improve families, when family lives are strengthened, entire communities prosper more. Investing in the clinic is investing in people, and that is always a great return on investment.”
This clinic provides preventative care, vaccinations and check-ups as well as treatment for illnesses and injuries. They also provide access to prescription medications and medical supplies which can be costly and out of reach for people without insurance. The clinic's most successful and life-changing program is their R.I.S.E Program which stands for Real Independence and Self-Empowerment. It is available for free to people 18 or older who wish to receive personal and career development assistance necessary to make lasting and positive changes in their lives.
Dr. Charles Pexa, a volunteer physician and President of the Board, stated, “What makes the clinic so special are the patients. These are people in the community that only lack help; they’re trying to maintain their health. They are working and trying to create a life and trying to support their families. If we can provide any assistance to these people, the rewards are innumerable and immeasurable for all of us. The thing that will make you proud to support and proud to be a part of the clinic's mission is that if you help one person, you help the entire community, and that’s what we are doing here at the clinic.”
The free healthcare provided by this nonprofit also has a ripple effect on the community. When people have access to preventative healthcare, they are more likely to stay healthy and less likely to miss work or school due to illness. This leads to a more productive workforce and a better-educated population. It also reduces the strain on emergency rooms, which are often used as a last resort by people who have nowhere else to turn for medical care.
One of the most memorable success stories shared by Orion Jeter and Dr. Charles Pexa was a patient who was referred for treatment following a near fatal trip to the hospital. Upon release, an appointment was scheduled at the clinic due to a lack of insurance, diagnosis of multiple comorbidities and need for continued monitoring and medications. The clinic quickly provided free treatment and medications and watched as this survivor completed the R.I.S.E Program. Significant weight loss, increased confidence, readmission into college and a completed nursing degree were just a few of the outcomes achieved from participating in this program. This individual now has a successful full-time nursing position that provides health insurance and personal fulfillment while giving medical care to our community. Another patient that received care from the clinic wrote, “I just wanted to let you know how much you are all appreciated for every little thing you have done for me. I know how busy you are and treating me like I am your only patient is very comforting, knowing you are just a phone call away. I was hit hard because of COVID. When I lost my job, I was not sure what I was going to do about my medical care. Through your clinic, I was able to see a doctor and get my insulin. The medical care I received saved my life. I am able to go back to work. People who work feel better about themselves and take better care of themselves because they have a purpose in their lives. You are helping people and saving lives, and I am forever grateful to each one of you.” These are just a few of the many people who have been pulled from darkness and hopelessness and found life-altering support through the Free Medical Clinic of Aiken.
The Free Medical Clinic of Aiken has also helped reduce healthcare disparities. Many marginalized communities and low-income individuals experience significant barriers to accessing healthcare. The clinic has bridged this gap by providing care that is accessible and culturally responsive. This has improved health outcomes for these communities and reduced health disparities.
Last year the clinic provided over $3,264,145 in free medical care, served over 341 patients and dispensed over 13,839 medications. The Free Medical Clinic of Aiken needs monetary donors in order to continue their vital role in our community. If you are interested in becoming a donor, please visit their website at cmcaiken.org. You can sign up online to donate one time or monthly and support their healthcare mission. Your partnership with the clinic could very well be the turning point of lifesaving care for an uninsured individual in Aiken.