Blog

Augusta Chronicle Article

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:00:16 -0500

Christ Community was featured in our local paper on Saturday, November 29, 2008. Great article!
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2008/11/29/rel_501951.shtml

American Family News Network Article

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:33:50 -0500

Christ Community Augusta was featured in onenewsnow.com article titled Living Parables. Check it out:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Journal/editorial.aspx?id=315556

Flu Vaccines

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:16:54 -0500

On Monday November 17th and Wednesday November 19th the Christ Community flu vaccine team had the opportunity to go to John Miledge Elementary and Lamar Elementary to vaccinate children. We ended up vaccinating a total of 95 children! Thanks to our wonderful volunteers and to the schools that allowed us to partner with them. We hope to continue this outreach each year to keep kids healthy and in school.

A Letter from the Doctor

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:28:42 -0500

Occasionally I get inspired to write and this happens to be one of those days. I woke up early to vote for our next president. This is important. Four years of leadership that has the capability of changing our cities, neighborhoods, and even our very lives. Today was the day I made a difference. Standing in line with my diet coke can and granola bar in hand, I waited. One hour I waited. Then my time came, I thought. But they could not find my name. They found my wife's name. I informed them that I lived with my wife. I even told them she was pregnant, I thought that gave me credibility. Still, no name. They called downtown and I was not listed there either. I walked away dejected. I couldn't even get an "I voted" sticker. I asked for the sticker and the sweet lady said, "did you vote?" well – you know – I just kept walking. What a wasted hour, well not completely wasted. For over an hour I talked with a lady who was trying to start an inner city medical clinic in a nearby community. Her eyes lit up as we talked, "I've heard about you," she said. We exchanged phone numbers all the while talking with the next guy about his desire to start a once monthly dinner for the homeless. Then my two new Methodist friends used my wifes favorite word "providential." They smiled as they used this word while I stared in disbelief – or maybe old fashion confusion. Yes, by the time I reached the clinic I was a providentially dejected voter without even a sticker or an opportunity to change the world. I would even say that this is the curse of my mother, but she might read this one day.

All I can do now is pout and see patients. I am good at one of those and not so good at the other and I will let the reader decide. My first patient was a middle aged man from rural South Carolina. He showed up with his CAT scan report in his hand. I read the results before I even saw him – "a destructive invasive neoplastic lesion" obvious cancer that even a good “pouter” can interpret. The CAT scan was performed over a month ago (the words destructive and invasive came back to mind). Where have you been? Seemed like an obvious question. In unbelief I heard a story of rejection. He has been to 4 different hospitals that refused to help since he had no medical insurance, 2 were even state hospitals. No one was willing to give him chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. I yelled quietly, "What in the heck is wrong with this place?" This guy created in God's image can die and no one cared. Breathe, exhale and keep going. Patient 2 – A kind inner city man with just your basic medical problems of high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. He says everything is fine except…then he points to his head. "I don't trust nobody doctor." He tells a tale of sitting in his chair all night long and looking out his blinds every time he hears a noise. He stands alone at the bus stop. He walks alone and turns around if anyone is behind him to make sure he is not being followed. He is big and intimidating but has become imprisoned mentally. His wife passed away over 20 years ago and his son is in Iraq. "I don't trust nobody doctor," he repeats again and again. We pray for his tormented paranoid mind that has imprisoned him. After prayer, the man gets ready to leave and then nervously speaks "Doctor…. one more thing…" I don't have time for ‘one more things.’ "There was an old lady out front who couldn't pay her co-pay. What's going to happen to her?" I inform him that people have to pay a little bit to be seen. It teaches them responsibility or something. "Well she said she could pay in a couple of weeks, but I don't know how she will be able to – Do you mind….. I mean …..Can I pay her co-pay?" I have never seen a borderline paranoid schizophrenic reach out and care for a stranger like this man. I walked back in a closed exam room and wept. Is a president really going to change the world or will it be you and me and my paranoid friend. Has Christ not called us to this time and place to build His Kingdom and love His people? Are we going to change the world in the ballot box and then go home and wait for it to happen? We are his ambassadors, to build his kingdom, love a neighbor, serve the poor, and die to self. That sounds great, but now what?

My nurse is having a yard sale, why don't you come? In fact, she has gathered a couple of friends to help, because economics tells you the more stuff at a yard sale, the more you make. And she wants to make lots of money. The yard sale is for Calvin – a quadriplegic, that comes to our clinic. He was recently hospitalized because Medicaid does not give him enough gauzes and supplies for all his wounds and his bed is not ideal for his thin quadriplegic body. My nurse was thinking about writing Calvin's name in for the presidential election, because if he became president he would have better supplies. Instead, she decided to raise the money through a yard sale. She is “wasting” one entire day so a new friend can have gauzes, wraps, and lotion to stay a few more days out of the hospital. Talk about changing the world! She has started with loving her new friend through a yard sale, more than I have done in a long time. It is Election Day and I did not vote; but if I could, I would vote for you, the reader. We need you to walk outside and love those around you for the sake of Christ. Go, serve, build, and die unto the glory of Christ. Have a yard sale, pay for someone who cannot afford his bill, care for someone dying of cancer - - can you see the world beginning to change?

Thanks - G

MCO Augusta 2008 Fall Retreat

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:02:45 -0500

On October 24 - 26, 2008 Dr. Campbell was the main speaker at the Medical Campus Outreach Augusta Fall Retreat. check out the MCO website to hear the 4 talks that Dr. Campbell gave.
http://www.firstpresaugusta.org/mco

Neighborhood Network Community Outreach

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:40:33 -0400

The Economic Opportunity Authority of Augusta held their Neighborhood Network Community Outreach at the Jennings Place apartment complex on Olive Road. Christ Community was invited to advertise their services, take blood pressures, and to answer simple health questions. Thanks to our Medical students who participated and to our staff.

ASU Health Fair

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:30:56 -0400

On Wednesday October 8 Augusta State University's department of Nursing invited our clinic to attend there health fair that was held at Christenberry Field house on Wrightsboro Road. This was a good time to pass out information to college students concerning our services and also tips on eating well (sample meals prepared by Lauren Brown). Thanks to all of our Med students that came and helped out.

First Friday September & October 2008

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:17:12 -0400

First Friday downtown has been a wonderful time to be out in the community. We use this time to pass out info about our clinic, take blood pressures, paint faces, and simply to be a part of the city that God has called us to.

Men's Health Symposium, Beulah Grove Baptist

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:06:39 -0400

Saturday July 26, 2008 from 9am - 2pm Dr. Campbell will be involved in the Beulah Grove Baptist Church Health Seminar. He will teach in the morning on diabetes and during lunch on faith and depression.

Staff/Volunteer/Board Summer Party

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:48:23 -0400

The staff, volunteers, and board of Christ Community gathered for a picnic July 9th. Thank you all for a truely amazing first 7 months of practice. With over 2000 patient visits to date we are well on our way to over 4200 patient visits in our first year. Your commitment, care, prayers, and self-denying love for our patients have brought the love of Christ into many lives.

St. Joseph Hospital Grant

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:40:32 -0400

Thank you St. Joseph for partnering with us to provide consistent quality healthcare to the poor of the CSRA. Christ Community Health Services was awarded $15,000 this Spring to be used to supplement the cost of care for low-income uninsured patients.

Young Life Work Day

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:37:45 -0400

Thank you Odgen Tabb and Young Life Augusta for all your hard work on the Widow's Home! Approximately 20-30 high-school students cleaned up the grounds and hauled an industrial dumpster full of junk out of the Widow's Home.

First Presbyterian Work Day

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:34:54 -0400

Thank you First Presbyterian for your commitment to proclaiming Christ to our downtown community. Thank you for all your hard work at the Widow's Home during your downtown workday!

Widow's Home Renovation Announced

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:31:04 -0400

3/07/08 Our plans for renovating the Widow's Home were announced today to the city through a very nice article in The Augusta Chronicle authored by Sylvia Cooper. Architect Nick Dickinson has been contracted and plans are moving forward. We should begin construction this summer.

Clinic Open House

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:30:19 -0400

2/19/08 Our Open House was a great success. The facilities looked great thanks to all the hard work and creativity of our volunteers and staff! We had a full house which included patients, donors, friends, and family. Call and stop by any time if you couldn't make it.

Prayer and Praise Meeting

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:29:47 -0400

1/18/08 Last night a group of us met in the clinic and lifted our voices in song and prayer praising God for who he is. It was a time of thanksgiving and reflection on the character of God and our purpose to Glorify him, enjoy him, and make him known. We will hold a meetings twice a year. Please join us. Also look for our open house at the clinic next month.

CSRA Community Foundation Grant

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:28:24 -0400

12/06/07 Christ Community received $15,000 from the CSRA Community Foundation grant for the purchase of our two electronic medical record physician licenses. Drs. Campbell and Scarborough along with Board Member Jennifer Hunter accepted the grant with thanks to the Foundation and the Augusta National for making the funds available.

Anonymous Foundation Grant!

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:27:40 -0400

12/03/07 Christ Community Health Services has received $15,000 from a local foundation which supports the betterment of women and children. I have learned they would like to remain anonymous so I have removed their name from our website. This grant will go directly toward supplementing the cost of caring for the uninsured in Augusta. We are deeply grateful and hope those conected with the Foundation will stop by soon to tour our new facility.

Widow's Home Planning Meeting

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:26:48 -0400

11/14/07 Please begin now to pray for our upcoming meeting about the Widow's Home resoration. Please pray for wisdom as we begin to pursue financial backing for the project.

Clinic is now open!

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:25:53 -0400

11/05/07 Thank you for all your prayers, your financial assistance, and your hours of work. The clinic opened on schedule and cared for over 10 patients in the first two days. Please continue to pray that God's kingdom would be expanded through the care that is provided within these walls.

US Army Volunteers!

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:24:56 -0400

10/20/07 Army Soldiers from Fort Gordon volunteered half of their Saturday to paint the inside of the clinic. Thank you Soldiers for the sacrifices you make to protect and build our communities!

Transitional Center Men at Work

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:23:21 -0400

10/10/07 Men from the Transitional Center have been volunteering their time to help finish the clinic on time. They have been a great encouragement to us and hopefully us to them!

MCG Physical Therapy Students Volunteer

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:22:19 -0400

10/10/07 Several MCG Physical Therapy Students have volunteered their time to help with the clinic. Together they will be putting in over 40 hours of work. Thank you MCG PT students!

Stevens Creek Volunteers

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:21:34 -0400

10/6/07 Stevens Creek Community Church along with several men from the Transitional Unit of the prison system volunteered over 60 hours of work toward the completion of Christ Community Clinic on D'Antignac. Good relationships were built, Christ was lifted up, and our clinic got a good scrapping and priming! Thanks Stevens Creek Community Church! Thank you men from the Transitional center!

Greater Faith Baptist Health Fair

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:20:50 -0400

9/22/07 Christ Community and Greater Faith Baptist Church partnered to reach out to the Olde Town/East Boundry neigborhoods and share the love of Christ. Several MCG students were on hand to assist with screening for high blood pressure and to check blood sugars.

Relationships were established which will hopefully lead to healthier lives and redeemed lives.

MCG Students Lend a Hand

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:19:41 -0400

9/18/07 A large part of our mission is to work with students from MCG to teach medicine and the Gospel lived out in our community. MCG students have already given over 200 hours of volunteer labor from their busy schedules. Thank you MCG students!

Healthcare Georgia Foundation Grant

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:18:57 -0400

9/17/08 Thanks to the generousity of R. Lee Smith, Jr. of the CSRA Community Foundation we have received over $39,000 from the Healthcare Georgia Foundation to help purchase a high quality electronic medical record system and the hardware to go with it.

Thank you Mr. Smith, the CSRA Community Foundation, and the Healthcare Georgia Foundation!

Medical Campus Outreach- Reaching Out

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:17:50 -0400

9/11/07 Twenty-five MCO students (mostly medical and nursing from MCG) jumpstarted the renovation of our temporary location at 1226 D'Antignac. They logged about 100 hours, scraping, painting, and demolitioning portions of the interior.

Dr. Campbell gave a short testimony about why Christ Community exists, living sacrificially for the Glory of God, and proclaiming Jesus in all we do.

Thank you MCO!!

More Historic Augusta

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:16:48 -0400

9/10/07 We had a good meeting with Historic Augusta and developed a plan we all agreed should work both to preserve the buildings on the property and provide for the needs of Christ Community. We are looking forward to the community of Augusta including Historic Augusta taking "ownership" in the Widow's Home project.

Historic Augusta

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:16:08 -0400

8/21/07 Today Dr. Scarborough, Dr. Campbell, and Jeff Drake met with several members of Historic Augusta, Inc. concerning our plans for the Widow's Home. Overall it was a very encouraging meeting.

Temporary Location Identified

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:14:47 -0400

8/15/07 University Hospital has agreed to let us use one of their buildings on D'Antignac for a temporary location. We will have 4 exam rooms and plenty of space to get started. This moves us closer to our target opening date in late October.

Nonprofit Status Official

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:13:32 -0400

8/4/07 It's official! Christ Community Health Services Augusta has received it's official nonprofit designation from the IRS as a 501(c)3. The application was processed without difficulty.

Widow's Home Donated to Christ Community

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:12:24 -0400

8/3/07 As we prepare to open soon in temporary quarters we have been pursuing the idea of building a 12 exam room clinic along with a 2000 square foot pediatric physical therapy suite in the Historic Widow's Home. We now own the building and will begin to plan for its restoration and transformation. This has been made possible through the generosity of Clay Boardman.

The Widow's Home has been in service to the underserved in our community for over 100 years and we are honored to restore and revitalize this landmark. Please contact us if you would like to be a part of the effort.

More details to follow.

Medical Equipment Donated

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:10:39 -0400

8/1/07 Through the coordination of David Bullington and the generousity of physicians in the area we have been given 7 high quality exam tables. This gift totals approximately $7000 and is exactly what we need to get started.

Meeting with University Hospital

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:09:15 -0400

5/18/07 Our first meeting with the administration of the University Health Care System and Foundation went very well. Dr. Rick Donlon and Burt Waller from Christ Community Health Services in Memphis did an outstanding job presenting the medical benefits of our proposal. Dr. Gary Beaudreau and Ernie Smith spoke on behalf of the Board and the community. Drs. Grant Scarborough and Robert Campbell discussed the origins of CCHSA and their vision for transforming lives medically and spiritually.

Our projected budget for the first year is $2,080,000. Please pray that University Hospital would be generous in helping us reach that goal.