With 1200 Patients Helped, FernCare Continues with Community Support
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 19, 2018)
Ferndale, MI – The FernCare free health clinic began ten years ago with a pop-up doctor’s office in a community center in Ferndale. And now it’s an organization with over 110 volunteers seeing hundreds of patients each year.  Since it began, over 1200 people have been cared for at no cost.
David Greylen, owner of Waterwork Plumbing, surprised the clinic with a $10,000 donation this year.  “Ferndale has done a ton for me and I wouldn’t be as successful if it weren’t for this community,” Greylan said.  “At the end of the year I had medical issues. And even with insurance it was hard. There were deductibles, prescriptions, time away from work. It really opened my eyes to how you can lose everything, and that’s even with insurance.  I can’t imagine how hard it is for people who don’t have insurance. What FernCare does is a nice service, done by volunteers. I wanted to show the community how grateful I am, and to support them in their work.”
Funding for FernCare comes from individual and business donations, as well as fundraisers and grants.
In 2017, Metro Health Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Safety Net Program, The Jewish Fund, Michigan Department of Community Health, Alana’s Foundation, The Lennon Foundation, and the Croll Family Foundation helped fund clinic services. Local businesses like Western Market, Gage Products, Great Fresh, and Galloway & Collens PLLC also provide significant support.
“Galloway and Collens, PLLC is a law firm that Howard Collens and I formed to help bring calm to the challenges faced by our clients,” said Scott Galloway. “Whether those challenges are taking care of vulnerable populations, including the elderly and incapacitated, solving a challenging real estate situation so that our clients can look confidently to the future or handling end of life issues, Howard and I think of ourselves as problem solvers closely connected to the communities we serve. Our long-term relationship with FernCare has allowed us build upon what we do every day.  Supporting free health care for all is the right thing to do and its always the right time to do the right thing.  As we seek to serve our neighbors, FernCare closely aligns with the values we hold paramount.”
The Affordable Care Act made it easier for low income people to get health coverage, but it hasn’t diminished the need for FernCare’s services. The clinic has volunteers who can help patients enroll for health coverage or the Healthy Michigan plan.  In 2017, over 100 people were able to transition from being patients at FernCare to having coverage and regular medical care of their own. Yet the clinic had 307 patients, many of whom need ongoing care.  There is still about a month-long wait for new patients to be seen.
According to their annual report, “FernCare is open 10 hours each month as an operating medical clinic, five hours each month for counseling and massage and six hours each month for acupuncture services. On weekdays, the office is open during the week, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. for inquiries, appointment scheduling and as a health services resource, among other administrative services.”
Over 50% of patients make less than $16,000 per year with about a third being unemployed, a third working part time and a third working full time and just a handful of retirees. Patients come from Ferndale and beyond, including Davisburg, South Lyon, Ecorse, Redford, Mt. Clemens, St. Clair Shores, and even two patients from Port Huron.
Sheri Dirkse volunteers helping patients enroll for Medicaid.  “It’s so much. I never realized that so many people, working adults, are lacking insurance,” she said. “It’s something I’ve basically always had.” As she helps people with the paperwork, she gets to know their stories.
“There is one instance that really stands out with me. This man came in, late 50s, and had worked since he was 14. He always had a job and insurance. He got really sick, lost his contract job and subsequently, his insurance. He had a multitude of health issues and I was able to get him Medicaid. He sat there in my chair and cried. All I could think about was my dad, and what if he were in the same spot.”
“Another woman came in and needed insurance. She had been in county for about 20 years but when her husband lost his job and the family lost their insurance. She and her daughter were in to get the mom insurance. Both had hijabs on. I’m trying to be super respectful of the hijabs, their culture, and I’m not sure if I can even shake their hands. When I was able to get mom insured, she jumped up and hugged me. I was so taken aback just because I didn’t know if they were breaking rules you know? She asked me if that was okay and I explained why I stepped back. She said she was so happy it didn’t matter, her soul was happy, she recognized my aura. I’ll never forget that. Everything was cast aside and we so connected right then. It’s amazing being able to help people like that.”
For head nurse Diane Dengate there is love, but also frustration. “I love nursing. It is important to me to be a productive member of our community. Combining both of those things seemed a natural step,” she said. “I believe health care should be available to everyone. If third world countries can provide health care, then the US should be able to. When I see a patient who lost benefits two years ago, known diabetic, out of meds, working 2-3 jobs to try to make ends meet I am embarrassed. And angry. Some members of our society work so hard and get very little in return. If I can help them get care and reassure them that they have value and work as part of a team to get them the meds they need , the teaching, the equipment-well, what could I do that would be better?”
Donors and volunteers will be coming together to celebrate FernCare’s successes and to focus on the challenges of the future with a fundraiser on May 24 from 6 – 9 pm at the Great Lakes Dossin Museum on Belle Isle.   Single tickets are $75, payable through PayPal.  The event includes a strolling dinner, silent auction tables, and a lovely view of the Detroit River, all while supporting FernCare.
For tickets and more information visit: http://ferncare.org/2018/03/10th-annual-dinner-may-24-thursday-6-9-pm-dossin-museum-belle-isle/
To check out pictures from last year’s event, visit http://oaklandcounty115.com/2017/05/22/ship-themed-fundraiser-helps-keep-ferncare-free-clinic-afloat/