What is a hero? To most of us, a hero is someone who epitomizes the idea of being a role model to others, by doing something extraordinary with their life. It is a person who we can all look up to and strive to be like. That’s exactly who this next woman is. Her name is Dr. Lorna Stuart, and after 22 years in private practice in Pennsylvania, she sold her home and practice, and opened up a clinic to treat the many people who don’t have health insurance. She was frustrated with the current system of care and all of the time consuming insurance paperwork that was involved with it. ”There are so many people that fall through the cracks”, she said. So she confided her frustrations with her good friend, the Rev. Marie Swayze.
Rev. Swayze’s parish was home to a dilapidated Victorian-style home, which was in need of repair so the two decided to restore and remodel the mansion and make it a place where anyone could go to receive proper medical care. Dr. Stuart then left her medical practice and sold her home and set out to raise $400,000 in donated funds, materials, and services. The effort resulted in the 2002 opening of, “The Clinic Medical Center for the Uninsured.” This wonderful, bright, caring clinic has received more than 40,000 patient visits since then.
Medical doctors donate their time to the clinic and visits cost around $60.00 for quality care. However, if a patient cannot afford to pay, they just give what they can- even if it’s just $1.50. No one is turned away for failure to pay and they get the same dignified attention as those who pay the full price. “Each day, I get to treat the patients whom our medical system has forgotten, without the hassle of insurance paperwork,” says Stuart. “Is it any wonder I once again feel the real joy of practicing the craft that I love?”
It’s a great thing when people care about the growing problem of healthcare. Especially since, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 47 million Americans are currently without medical coverage! The Gorilla finds this fine lady to be an inspiration and a hero among heroes for her noble efforts. More of us should be like her. Hat’s off to Dr. Stuart!