Shepherd's Hand Free Clinic and Community Meal

Open every Monday evening except on Holidays

Community Meal Schedule:

• Meal served from 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Clinic Schedule:

• 5:45 p.m. - Servant Focus for all volunteers
• 6:00 p.m. - Begin signing in patients
• 10 p.m. or when last patient seen – clinic closed

Shepherd's Hand Free Clinic, a Non-Profit Ministry

Established 1995 - Incorporated 2010

Mission Statement

“Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic exists to provide quality medical care for people without health insurance and to take the light of Christ into our community.”

Foundational Scripture

Core Values

We express our servant heart through the following core values:

• We value community and strive to provide consistent, quality care in a safe and loving environment.
• We value the whole person and are committed to caring for each person based on their physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs.
• We value a hospitable and stimulating environment where volunteers can grow as they serve.
• We value professionalism.
• We value each person’s right to privacy and are committed to confidentiality.

The Need for Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic

• One in five people in Montana are uninsured.
• Over 30 percent of the people living in Flathead Valley have no health insurance.
• Being uninsured means minor illnesses become major illnesses because care is delayed.
• One significant medical expense can wipe out a family’s bank account leaving the family at risk for becoming homeless.

Shepherd's Hand Free Clinic Patients

• SHFC provides services for people without health insurance or those who cannot access their insurance because of a high deductible.
• SHFC does not provide services for people who have Medicaid, Medicare, Indian Health Services, or Veteran’s Assistance.
• SHFC does not provide services to people who are intoxicated or people seeking narcotics.
• SHFC patients are primarily from the North Flathead Valley.
• Eighty percent of SHFC patients are between 18 and 59 years of age.
• Fifty percent of SHFC patients are employed.
• Seventy-eight percent of SHFC patients are at or below the federal poverty level ($22,050 for a family of 4).
• Approximately two thirds of SHFC patients have chronic health issues such as diabetes and heart disease.

The Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic Team

Christ Lutheran Church

• The clinic is an outreach ministry of Christ Lutheran Church.
• The church provides physical space, financial support, and prayer.

Medical Community

• Volunteer Physicians, Nurses and Pharmacists provide onsite care each Monday night.
• Specialty Physicians and Primary Care Physicians see patients on a referral basis for free.
• North Valley Hospital provides free lab and radiology services for SHFC patients.
• Kalispell Regional Hospital provides additional radiology services as needed for SHFC patients.
• Local Pharmacies support SHFC through our medication voucher program; and provide discounted medications to SHFC patients. (Participating pharmacies include Walgreens in Whitefish, Medical Arts Pharmacy, and Smiths in Columbia Falls)

Shepherd’s Hand Clinic Volunteers

• Professional and lay volunteers from our community staff the clinic each Monday night.

SHFC Board of Directors

• Buzzie Anderson - Treasurer
• Rich Dolven – Vice-President
• Jay Erickson
• Meg Erickson
• Donna Holland
• Becky Stillo - Secretary
• Shawn Watts - President
• Bridget Wirth

SHFC Paid Staff

• Meg Erickson – Executive Director
• Jennifer Hyatt – Administrative Assistant
• Alison Charman ARNP – Onsite Health Care Provider

Volunteer Opportunities

Ministry Components

• Medical Director – Jay Erickson M.D.
• Clinic Director – Meg Erickson R.N., M.S.N., CPNP
• Pharmacy Director – Becky Stillo, RPh
• Hospitality Team
  • Greeters
  • Hospitality Volunteers
  • Prayer Ministry Volunteers
• Support Staff – Intake Volunteers
  • Medical Records Volunteers
• Medical Staff
• Greeters
• Hospitality Volunteers
• Prayer Ministry Volunteers

 

Shepherd's Hand Free Clinic web site

Click here to visit the SHFC web site.