LANCASTER, Texas — Wednesday is not just another day at Lancaster’s St. Vincent Center. Instead, it is a day of service.
“The community knows that Wednesday is a high-volume day here because the community comes to pick up their food from the food bank,” said Dr. Mayra Jimenez Thompson, St. Paul Medical Clinic director.
The area is considered a food desert with more needs than one.
“This is an area that is pretty much considered a medical desert,” said Dr. Jimenez Thompson.
She and her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, decided to do address the need.
“We’ve raised our families. We’ve had successful practices. It’s time to give back,” said Dr. Thompson, also a director for St. Paul Medical Clinic.
They partnered with St. Vincent Center to open St. Paul Medical Clinic serving uninsured and underinsured families with low-cost care. The clinic opens every first and third Wednesday with hopes of expanding.
“This area, the majority of people have no insurance,” Dr. Jimenez Thompson said. “That it pretty much keeps them from seeking medical care when they have to feed their families or paying for the doctor visit.”
The doctors asked families attending the food drive each Wednesday, what medical care is needed the most.
“The most important thing to them was family medicine and women’s services. We decided that the two of us could provide that. I’m an OBGYN. He’s a nephrologist with a specialty in internal medicine. We’ve got 90% of it covered,” said Dr. Jimenez Thompson.
They were also able to recruit volunteers such as Donna Beatty who is a retired nurse.
“Having so many uninsured or underinsured, shouldn’t stop them from getting the care that everyone can get,” Beatty said. “Just being able to provide back and bless other people with our skillset, is very important.”
“To have all these people just say they would do it and they’re doing it so cheerfully,” Dr. Thompson said. “It’s been a revelation for me.”
It is a revelation that is both rewarding and serving.
Patients seeking care at St. Paul Medical Center can register here. Household income must be below the 300% Federal Poverty Level of $90,000 for a family of four in 2023.