[title subtitle=”WORDS Words Catherine Frederick with Patti Kimbrough, Executive Director, Good Samaritan Clinic”][/title]
Good Samaritan Clinic is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization providing quality healthcare access to all individuals in the Arkansas River Valley, regardless of their ability to pay. They bring together informed individuals who give their time, expertise, and financial support to ensure an expansive network of providers is available to those in need of medical services. Do South®reached out to Patti Kimbrough, Executive Director, to learn more.
DS: How did Good Samaritan Clinic come to be?
A local group of concerned individuals recognized our community was growing and unemployment rates and local poverty levels were on the rise. In 2003, in an effort to help those in need, Dr. Kemal Kutait, a retired family practitioner, and Ramona Roberts, a veteran real estate professional, as well as Father Wright from St. John’s Church – created Good Samaritan Clinic in partnership with St. John’s Episcopal Church and volunteers from St. Paul’s Methodist Church.
DS: Tell us about the mission of Good Samaritan Clinic.
Our mission is to improve the health in our region by providing access to compassionate, quality healthcare. We envision a community in which neighbors work together giving their time, talent, and resources to ensure everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.
DS: Who does Good Samaritan serve and in what ways?
The Good Samaritan Clinic serves our neighbors in need of basic medical care. Our clinic sees patients who do not have insurance, we are 100 % a charitable clinic. We charge a small co-payment ($10-$35), never to exceed $35, and no one is everturned away for inability to pay. We also offer dental, vision and counseling services by appointment. We are fortunate to have support from Mercy Hospital and Baptist Health (Sparks) as both hospitals believe in our mission and how it can improve health and quality of life in our region while providing continuity of care. The clinic serves over 5,000 patients per year.
DS: How can our community get involved and support Good Samaritan Clinic?
Monetary donations are always appreciated, but things like copy paper, hygiene items, shampoo, soap, towels, wash cloths, detergent, and bleach are needed. We are always in need of volunteers from doctors and nurses to someone to do filing, pull charts, cleaning, even lawn care.
DS: Are there any upcoming events our readers should know about?
We are currently planning our 4thAnnual Best Night of the Year Friend-Raiser hosted by our very own Good Samaritan Board of Directors! We are going to “Let Our Love Flow”with the Bellamy Brother on Friday, April 24that the Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center in Fort Smith. We just launched our “sweetheart deal” that will run through February 14, 2020, tickets may be purchased for $75 each which includes an all-inclusive ticket, with beverages, food, auction, mechanical bull, wine toss and more! The attire is western/casual and will be so much fun. Tickets, tables and corporate sponsorships are available now. #IAMGOODSAM! ARE YOU?
Medical Team:
Dr. Leslie Ziegler, Medical Director
Dr. Jack Gedosh, MD
Dr. Larry Price, MD
Dr. Taylor Prewitt, MD
Dr. Mark Stillwell, MD
Dr. Megan Schroyer
Melissa Morton, APRN
Shelly Johnson, APRN
Janice Sudbrink, APRN
Dr. Terry Jennings, DDS
Dr. David Ciesla, DDS
Dr. Hill, Optometrist
Clinic Staff:
Patti Kimbrough, Executive Director
Liz Chacon, Phlebotomist/Translator
Jennifer Campbell, Receptionist
Brenda Hook, Donor Relations
Elizabeth Northrop, Marketing Director
Freda Martin, LPN
Lila Morrow, RN
Mikala McCullah, Medical Asst.
JoAnn Flocks, Accounting
Good Samaritan Clinic
615 North B Street
Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72901
479.783.0233
goodsamaritanfs.com
