Mercy Health Center

I love Mercy Health Center. I was first drawn to them through friends of mine who have worked there in the past, and now I am lucky to be able to volunteer with them on a weekly basis. I have been working at the front desk, and I love spending time there.

Mercy Clinic is a clinic that provides free health care to the underserved, low-income community in Athens. They do not accept anyone with insurance (including Medicare and Medicaid), which really allows them to help those who are in the gap without coverage or enough income to afford appropriate care. They have a general clinic 3 days a week as well as 12 different specialty clinics that occur intermittently. There is also a dental clinic, which has a lot of need, as there are many in our community who need that service.

Through Mercy, I have been able to learn a lot about the Spanish speaking community in Athens. I work at the front desk, and there has rarely been a week in which there are no Spanish speakers coming in or calling. Healthcare is such an important part of life, especially for those who struggle with chronic health issues, like many of the Mercy patients. A lack of health services in addition to being in a place where few speak your language or know your culture creates a very hard situation.

I love being able to talk to people who come in to Mercy and have effectively controlled their issues through the many programs they offer. The Spanish speaking patients I talk to seem especially grateful to have Mercy Clinic, as they strive to make everyone feel at home and perfectly comfortable there.

Mercy Health Center has many resources to make Spanish Speaking patients feel comfortable. Translators are arguably the most important of those resources. Translators have an extremely important job, and they make such a difference to the doctors and patients working through a language barrier. Mercy has been very lucky to have excellent volunteers and a lot of them, so clinics run smoothly. There are only a few full time employees, and only one who speaks Spanish fluently enough to interpret. She has a big job doing this, so any help that comes from good interpreters is greatly appreciated.

If you want to help Mercy, there are 3 good ways to do so:

PRAY

Please pray for Mercy Health Center that they continue to receive the support that this community has so generously given over the years and that they may continue to serve those in need.

DONATE

Mercy has need for both medical and monetary donations. Please visit http://mercyhealthcenter.net/volunteer to see what they need and how you can get it to them.

VOLUNTEER

Mercy Health Center offers many volunteer opportunities in every area. Mercy has needs in every aspect of business running a health care practice. All levels of expertise are welcome. Volunteers must first submit an application to volunteer@mercyhealthcenter.net.

Overall, Mercy is an amazing place that provides one of the most needed services in our Athens community. Whether you are interested in serving the Spanish speaking community or just the general low income community, Mercy is a great outlet to do so.