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General Operations

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Medical student works in labMartha's Health Clinic (MHC) is open every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. Healthcare at MHC is free and open to anyone. The majority of patients seen are indigent and this remains the focus of the clinic. Each week a total of 25 to 40 patients are seen. Medical students, nurses, or community volunteers triage patients on a first-come, first-served basis. Then they are seen by a medical student who performs the entire examination, completes any necessary minor laboratory work, and formulates a plan of care. This is then presented to the attending physician and appropriate treatment is instituted. Minor procedures such as sebaceous cyst removal and callous removal can be performed.

In addition, the patients of Martha's Clinic often need social support. Once their needs are identified, they may be referred to community agencies that aid patients in finding clothing, transportation, and help in abuse situations. If necessary, patients may be referred to the local Veterans' Affairs Hospital or Scott & White Memorial Hospital for more specialized care or in an emergency situation. Females in need of OB/Gyn care may be referred to Bell County Health Department. Martha's Health Clinic is fortunate to have such support from the local hospitals who aid in referrals and social services, volunteer physicians who serve as attendings, drug companies who donate medications, and many community volunteers who give their time and energy to the clinic. Local hospitals also aid in obtaining lab data and drugs that are unavailable at the clinic so that patients receive the full spectrum of primary care. Other local services include: dental hygiene care, free HIV testing and sign-up for CHIP (free child health care).