Letter from the Director of the Board |
 |
 |
|
I'm writing today to let you know that Healing Hands Medical and Dental Clinic recently celebrated its third birthday and continues to receive remarkable gifts. Two of those gifts came recently in the form of grants from local groups. Last night, Janna Gardner and I attended a reception at the Dallas Foundation, where Healing Hands was among a select group of local charities receiving unrestricted grants from 2009 requests. The Dallas Foundation has given Healing Hands $25,000 for expansion of our medical and dental services. This grant signals more than just money to fund our work, however. Healing Hands made it through a rigorous process of competitive selection and found ourselves in the company of some of the oldest and most well-established charities in our community. We were in the company of Central Dallas Ministries, Buckner Children and Family Services, March of Dimes and United Way, for example. The same was true a few weeks ago when we attended another reception to receive a $35,000 gift from the Chi Omega Christmas Market. These two local groups that are leaders in funding charitable causes in Dallas have joined you, our individual donors, in seeing the value of providing medical and dental care to the uninsured of North Dallas. And so on this third birthday, we take the occasion to say, "Thank you" to everyone who has worked together to make Healing Hands a reality. "Miracle" is still the word that comes to mind nearly every time we describe what's happening at the clinic. From the vision of one woman more than five years ago, God has raised up an army of volunteers who are bringing healing and hope to the uninsured of North Dallas. In recent weeks, the clinic has been enrolling 25 to 35 new patients a week. All patients must qualify based on income levels and the absence of any medical insurance. The clinic does not take Medicare or Medicaid patients. We now have 1,500 patients who we saw for 5,500 visits in 2009. Specialty clinics are offered in cardiology, gynecology, orthopedics and immunizations, with a growing ability to address specialized medical and dental needs. The clinic's annual budget has grown from less than $100,000 in its first year of operation to more than $500,000 today. That income derives from individual contributions, support from churches, grants and support from the Dallas County Medical Society through a new program called Project Access. I think you'll agree this qualifies as miraculous growth in serving our community. Mar |
k Wingfield