'......for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'                                Matt:35-36
                               

Medical Ministry
Caring for the Sick

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Minsitry Medical Ministry is part of larger group of community health partners who have forged a system of indigent health care. This group consists of Mission Hospitals as a corporate partner, WNC Community Health Services, Buncombe County Health Department, Three Streams Family Health, Emma Clinic, and other agencies and physicians (Project Access/BCMS) who see patients without insurance.

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Minsitry employs nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, counselors and community physicians volunteer to deliver an integrated, caring approach for acute and episodic health care services for the uninsured and underinsured of Buncombe County. The Medical Ministry serves individuals who have no private insurance, are not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, and who meet designated income guidelines.

Lives are transformed at the Medical Ministry by:

Access to acute care for the uninsured, Quality medical care, Referral management to primary care, Medication, Medical supplies and equipment, Dental care, Project Access, and Volunteer opportunties to offer hope and healing.

Clinic Hours  

Wednesday      9:00am – Noon
Thursday          5:00pm – 8:00pm (Medical and Dental)

Critical Needs

Ongoing Needs

Volunteers	Restorative Dental Clinic Volunteers needed: Dentists Opportunity: Filling teeth for uninsured patients in the Restorative Dental Clinic. Pharmacy Department Volunteers needed:Pharmacists Opportunity: Pharmacists needed to fill prescriptions during the Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evening clinics. Pharmacy Department Volunteers needed: Pharmacy Technicians Opportunity: Pharmacy technicians needed to assist the pharmacist with filling prescriptions during the Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evening clinics. Property Maintenance Department Volunteers needed: Painting persons Opportunity: Painting patient rooms inside the clinic. Property Maintenance Department Volunteers needed: Floor maintenance persons Opportunity: Wiping down patient room floors.  Waxing floors.	Nursing (2 per clinic)  CNA, LPN, RN (must have some form of medical license/certification)  Pharmacy Technician (1 per clinic)Clerical Intake Worker (2 per clinic) Help with patient eligibility screening, answer phone calls, receptionist duties. Dentist (Extraction Clinic)  Dentist (Restorative Clinic) Dental Assistant (1 per dental clinic)Assist dentist during clinic, must be x-ray certified.Hygienist (1 per dental clinic)	Computer Input (1 per clinic)  Input medical records into computer system.
Equipment	Restorative Dental Clinic Item: Autoclave for sterilization
Medical Supplies	Ostomy supplies   Diabetic test strips   Shower chairs	Supplies: Pens (click type) Post-it notes Boxes of tissue Antibacterial hand soap Dental packages (toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss & rinse)

With the rising costs of health care and today’s economy, it is becoming more and more difficult for patients to afford medications.  The pharmacy at ABCCM Medical Ministry provides free medications to patients who are seen and treated in our acute care clinic, as well as meeting the needs of patients in the community who are seeking medication assistance.

  The pharmacy operates during each of our six clinic sessions, working along with the volunteer physicians and other health care providers to ensure that patients who are seen during these clinic times are provided with the medications that they need for that visit.  Also, the pharmacy extends its hours into the afternoon to provide medications for discharged patients from Mission Hospital, the local emergency rooms, and also patients who have private physicians outside the clinic but who can’t afford to purchase their medications.  The pharmacy also works in collaboration with local providers such as the Buncombe County Health Center, Western NC Community Health Services, Three Streams, Project Access, and many of the mental health providers in the community to fill the gaps for patients who are in need of pharmacy services.

  A patient came to ABCCM pharmacy recently that has just lost her job at a nursing home facility, where she had been employed for the last 30 years.  Without a job and insurance, this patient cannot afford the eight medications that she takes daily to remain in good health.  The pharmacy was able to provide assistance for her medications and refer her to a health care provider that could treat her ongoing illnesses at lower cost. 

The Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy Departments appreciate all the volunteers, donations, and support from the community.  Thank you to Pharmerica and Blue Ridge Pharmacy for the opportunity to accept medications from their facilities.  We are especially thankful for the hours that the physicians, nurses, and clerical volunteers so graciously donate to the Ministry.  With these volunteers, we can serve patients in these three departments for a total of 48 hours per week.

  ABCCM Medical Ministry
155 Livingston Street
Asheville, NC 28801
828-259-5339
828-259-5316 (F)

Elizabeth Reeves, FNP, Coordinator
breevesfnp@aol.com

For more information on our ABCCM services please email or call us at (828) 259-5300.