Modeled after the Red Crescent Clinic in Tampa and a similar clinic in Los Angeles, the Crescent Community Clinic of Spring Hill has emerged as a beacon of hope for Hernando County’s uninsured and indigent residents ranging from 18-64 years of age. Founded in 2008, the clinic provides a multitude of services that include helping patients manage chronic health issues such as diabetes, COPD, emphysema, cancer, arthritis, epilepsy, depression, heart disease, hypertension and obesity. Dental care, mental health services, smoking cessation, healthy lifestyle education and pharmaceutical prescription assistance is also available. An important aspect that the clinic provides is affordable diabetic monitoring kits for patients who struggle to afford the high cost of managing their diabetes. In addition, a Florida Access representative is also available to aid patients in understanding SNAP/ food stamps and assist with applications. Because of the high demand and limited resources, appointments are necessary to provide each patient with the level of care they deserve.
Formerly located in Brooksville, the clinic now resides at 5244 Commercial Way in Spring Hill after it had been assessed that the majority of patients were coming from Spring Hill. While Crescent Community Clinic has made it easier for more people in need to access their services, they do provide transportation assistance to those from all over the county who may not otherwise be able to visit the center.
In addition to providing local residents with compassionate care, the Crescent Community Clinic has also saved Hernando county taxpayers, charities and hospitals close to $4.5 million dollars since their beginnings in 2008. According to the 2013 census, of the 92,942 residents at the time in Hernando County between the ages of 18 and 64, close to 27% of them are uninsured which often results in costly emergency room visits that could have been prevented by proper screening and proactive measures.
The people at Crescent Community Clinic are what makes this place so special. Everyone who holds a position at the clinic is a volunteer. That includes physicians, registered nurses, dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, pharmacist, physical therapists, phlebotomists, and mental health therapists. The team also includes support staff manned by volunteers that handle administration, intake and eligibility, food stamps, maintenance, internet technology and medical support personnel.
Among the thousands of lives helped by the clinic, there is one particular example that really demonstrates the impact that a clinic like this has on a community. Beverly Reso, office manager for the Ackley Dental Group, a key provider that donates time and services to the clinic, took notice upon a certain volunteer and the struggles she was trying to overcome. Monica Hall, a recent medical assistant graduate, had been volunteering at the clinic for some time. She was in need of certain dental procedures which were not within her budget. Working within her network of providers, Beverly was able to procure the services of Dr. Amy Ackley of the Ackley Dental Group, a local dentist currently building her practice and Dr. Andrés E. Guerra, an accomplished oral and maxillofacial surgeon with Coastal Jaw Surgery. Both doctors donated their time, skill and countless hours to bring a beautiful smile to Monica’s face and the results were life changing.
Dr. Amy Ackley stressed that these procedures were key in improving Monica’s health, as oral health is largely overlooked as an important part of overall systemic health. Without proper dental hygiene, oral infections, tooth decay and gum disease are likely and can lead to cardiovascular disease among many other ailments.
According to the clinic’s Director of Development, Maureen Soliman, “The Crescent Community Clinic embodies the willingness of the amazing people in this community to step up and help those less fortunate.”
Crescent Community Clinic has kicked off Spring Hill Walk with A Doc, a brand new, weekly endeavor aimed to get people moving and grooving with 8:00 am meetups every Wednesday at Towne Square Shopping Mall, located at 3021 Commercial Way in Spring Hill. Throw on your walking shoes, bring water and enjoy 30 minutes of walking with friends in a temperature controlled environment. As pointed out by Crescent Community Clinic, our county is one of the unhealthiest counties in the state, but they are trying to change that. Did you know that just 30 minutes of walking can lower blood pressure and reduce risk of stroke, relieve worry and tension, increase metabolism and increase energy and endorphins?
The clinic is always looking for new ways to involve the community and raise donations as it had been a conscious decision by the founders of the clinic to not accept any federal, state or county funding from taxpayer contributions. In the month of October alone they have begun the Walk with the Doc campaign to engage the community, were involved in a Mental Health Symposium at Oak Hill Hospital and hosted a culinary experience with Chef Michael which helped to fund the upcoming new addition to the clinic, Women’s Health and Wellness program to provide care for the uninsured women of Hernando County.
Upcoming events include a Healthy Lifestyles Conference which will take place on Saturday November 14th from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. The event will be located at the VFW Post 10209, 14736 Edward Noll Dr. in Spring Hill. The education seminars will speak about diabetes, medication, nutrition, obesity and tobacco use with free smoking cessation, flu shots with insurance and a blood mobile. Lunch is provided. Registration is required by calling 352-596-6333.
Another important event that hopes to raise money to keep the clinic open and available to the many residents in need is the Crescent Community Clinic Thanksgiving Quarter Auction. This event will be held November 15th from 1 to 5 pm at Towne Square Shopping mall. A fun and inexpensive auction that will not only help generate funds for the clinic but is a great way for local artisans and small businesses to showcase their products. All fine artists, artisan crafts, cottage food and home party sales are invited to participate in the fun. Vendors are asked to contact Laura Daniel at 352-263-5683.
Special people from all over our community are donating their time to make strides to improve the health and wellness of our county’s residents, but they can’t do it alone. Donations are always in desperate need, whether they come from private or company donations, fundraisers, charitable lead trusts or charitable remainder trusts. You can easily make a tax deductible donation by visiting their website and clicking on the secure DONATE icon on the home page. Also, local graduates that have the education but lack the experience are encouraged to contact the clinic to possibly build a mutually beneficial relationship that will help provide services to those in need as well as help the graduate add necessary experience to their résumé. Any bit helps to ensure that our community is elevated by health education and the resources to maintain and improve the health of our people.
If you would like to help or would like more information, please visit their website www.crescentclinic.org or call 352-610-9916