Caring Docs: Saluting the Good Works of Physician Community Relations Programs
We need to devote a few lines in recognition of the volunteer efforts of healthcare providers, medical industry corporations and hospitals everywhere that do good things for their community.
In the world of doctor and physician marketing and advertising, our post today is about the new mobile medical clinic of the Puget Sound Christian Clinic (PSCC). It’s a noteworthy example of a healthcare community activity that usually doesn’t get a lot of notice.
As a bit of background, PSCC began in North Seattle in 2003 through the shared vision of a small group of health care providers, according to their website. After providing medical care overseas, these providers saw an urgent need for a clinic in their local community, where more than 20 percent of the population does not have access to medical and dental care.
PSCC provides low-cost medical, dental, mental and spiritual care to low-income uninsured individuals and families. Last year, with the support of area churches, PSCC purchased a mobile medical clinic to bring healthcare services directly to communities in need in the Puget Sound region. One of this year’s pilot programs operates in Snohomish, WA.
The 40-foot mobile clinic has two separate patient rooms and a lab area, and is staffed by doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals and other volunteers. The mobile clinic—which parks weekly adjacent to supporting churches—can see up to 16 patients each week depending the number of volunteer physicians available. Among other medical services, the clinic provides check-ups and care for chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma.
The non-profit PSCC is assisted by the support of many medical and healthcare organizations. For example, Northwest Hospital and Medical Center (Seattle, WA) donated approximately $65,000 in laboratory and x-ray services.
Other healthcare services are provided through partnerships with Seattle Donated Dental Services, King County Project Access, Trosvig Labs, pharmaceutical companies, LensCrafters and include lab tests, x-rays, specialty care, prescription medications and glasses, among other contributions.
We suspect that the quiet good works of most healthcare providers are routinely overshadowed in the news by national issues such as Medicare and healthcare reform. (Send us a note about other healthcare community relations projects that we might spotlight.) The PSCC mobile medical clinic is only one example of how healthcare professionals and organizations throughout the nation contribute to their community without much fanfare, public relations or acknowledgement.
Let us know about your medical practice marketing and public relations efforts.
