Testimonials

There is no better testament to how well an organization meets its fundamental mission than the reactions of people who deal with that organization routinely as customers.

Here are some representative testimonials that speak volumes about the effectiveness of Community Health Centers and the positive difference CHCs make in the lives of their communities. 

Patient Testimonial #1: David N
Patient Testimonial #2: Carrie S

David N.

David N. was over 60 with an 8th grade education, single, and living in a camper. He had difficulty maintaining stable employment and often survived day-to-day by doing odd jobs. He had no health insurance and lived below the Federal Poverty Level. He had not applied for SSI or Medicaid because he was unsure how to go about it, or even where to go. Unfortunately, like so many uninsured patients, David hadn't seen a physician in more than 30 years.

One day a friend came to visit and found David slurring his speech, unresponsive to questions, and having seizures. David was taken to a local Emergency Room and diagnosed with new onset Diabetes. David had no idea he had this disease. He did have a family history; both his mother and sister had been previously diagnosed.

Upon his arrival at the ER, his blood sugar was over 900; normal fasting blood sugar is 80-110. His HgbA1C (hemoglobin) test was over 17.9, with normal being <7.  In short, David was very, very ill. With professional care received in the hospital, he was released four days later and referred to the ECHO Diabetic Center for continuing education and ongoing primary health care.

The ECHO Diabetic Center is a part of a Federally Qualified Health Center located in Evansville, Indiana, that had opened in 2003. Clients receive education and monitoring supplies through the Diabetic Center. The Center focuses on complete primary care, with a specialization in care for diabetics. They provide an intensive education program that has received special recognition from the American Diabetes Association. The Center also provides social services, outreach activities, and much-needed prescription assistance.

On David's first visit to the Diabetic Center, he was nervous about going to a health care provider because he had not received care in 30 years. On his first visit, he met with a Diabetic Educator who put him at ease and introduced him to his very own True Track Glucose Meter. She taught him how to check his blood sugars, what to do if they were too high or too low, and most important gave him "survival skills to get him through until he was to be seen again.

Physician and social worker visits were arranged for David. Through these, he was able to successfully apply for SSI, increasing his monthly income. Social Workers worked with David to obtain Medicaid  coverage.

His visits with the Internal Medicine physician began David's journey back to improved health. As he became more knowledgeable about his disease and gained the necessary self-management tools, his blood sugars began to stabilize.

Soon David's HgbA1C test had dropped to 5.4 and he was feeling much better. He could again walk his dogs and consider camping trips.

The best part was that he felt he had finally found a "health care home at ECHO.

Carrie S.
(In Her Own Words)

"My name is Carrie S., and I'm a single mother of three teenagers – Lance, Alyssa, and Lydia. We moved to Albany, Indiana in 2003."

"It is very important that my children receive proper medical treatment. Our first appointment at Open Door / BMH Health Center in Muncie was with my son for a yearly physical."

"I was very happy meeting Dr. Akinola for the first time. My children really like Dr. Akinola, and she listens to me as a mother and understands my concerns. She asks each of my children what they want to be when they grow up, and about their grades."

"Dr. Akinola has called me when I have had to take my children to the ER for injuries, after she has received the accident report. I really believe that she cares about my children and their physical and emotional well-being, and this means a lot to us as a family."

"My children feel they are supported by Dr. Akinola anytime she sees them. I have to say that Dr. Akinola has been the first Pediatrician to actually ask me about my other children when I have brought one in to see her."

"One recent November, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes.  Then that December I was diagnosed with heart disease. Dr. Dickey, my own physician at Open Door, referred me to a specialist after some tests didn't come back as he thought they should. Through the testing and his referral came the heart disease diagnosis. My family history of heart disease (my father died when he was 42) was an alert to Dr. Dickey. I appreciate the fact that he cares enough about his patients to really listen to them."

"I am very happy that I have a place that I can be seen for illnesses that has such good quality care.  Since I don't have insurance, I don't always go to the doctor when I really should. Open Door has enabled me to get the care that I need for my Diabetes, and they have been able to help me with the prescriptions I need."