It was almost two years ago that Orchid Health opened its doors in a small, but tidy office building across from Elmira High. In this short time frame, it has become an integral part of the community. This is due in no small part to the efforts of Mandy Powers, the clinic’s Community Health Worker. Under her tutelage the clinic has seen the institution of programs to foster dialogue with youth and to address hunger and has become a presence at various functions in the Fern Ridge area.
One such program is Trillium Produce Plus, which distributes produce on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 1-4 p.m. to those in need. When Powers learned of how well the program was doing at the Orchid clinic in Oakridge, she decided to add it to the Fern Ridge clinic’s offerings and while the numbers vary, approximately 100 families receive produce and occasionally bread, pasta, beans, and during the holiday season, cans of pumpkin. Food for Lane County provides 500-600 lbs. of produce and whatever is left over is taken to the Love Project. People are asked to sign up in advance. Orchid, which began with the credo that rural residents have a right to health care that is both accessible and high-quality, has clinics in Elmira, Oakridge, and Blue River. At the Fern Ridge clinic there is one doctor on staff, Dr. Willie Foster, two Nurse Practitioners, a Registered Nurse and support staff including Powers. Because the patient panel is nearly full, they are looking to hire another practitioner and there has been talk of expanding as they are running out of space. They are also hiring a new counselor for the integrated behavioral health portion of the clinic. Because they are a school-based clinic, this allows them to see students free of charge. To make this known, the clinic attends school events such as Registration Day which sees all staff except providers educating the community and offering a few fun things for the kids such as stickers and bubbles. There is also a Youth Action Council in effect at the high school that acts as a conduit so that the clinic can be aware of what youngsters want in terms of health care. While the first year was just about getting established, this year has seen the council do things such as the creation of a flyer to educate and to list resources for accessing mental health. “We want to give them the opportunity to get involved and have their voices heard,” says Powers. “We want to hear what they want.” If a student is interested in serving, all that is necessary is to sign up as the council is open to anyone who has a desire to learn about the medical field. Orchid isn’t just for students, however. Annual wellness is provided for seniors, as is primary care and well child visits, and some labs are done onsite. Powers is currently attempting to put together a Health Fair that would see organizers come and do a tabling occasion together. It would be, as she describes, “more of an information event” and she would like to see participation by Sr. and Disabled Services, DHS, HIV Alliance, Hope and Healing (formerly Womenspace), SASS (Sexual Assault Support Services), Legal Aid, Catholic Community Services and St. Vincent de Paul. This Health Fair would enable people to acquire resources as well as to network and come up with ideas to meet various needs. One such need that vexes Powers is transportation for those not on Medicaid as they do not qualify for RideSource and a number of people struggle to get into town. Powers recalls telephoning 7-8 transportation services and learning that all were affiliated with RideSource. It is her fervent hope to find a solution to this problem. Powers also takes steps to help people by providing resources to meet essentials such as finding funds to renew driver’s licenses, pay rent, and utilities. Since opening their doors, Orchid has already become a presence at the Harvest Festival and has a float in the Light Parade as part of its outreach. It also provides first aid at the Veneta Race and last October had a decorated Pop-up at Veneta Haunts. In August, they will have a table at National Night Out and more recently took part in the Earth Day celebration at the Elmira Grange in April. It’s not even two years since the clinic opened and Orchid has already made a big impact. They can thank Powers and her compassion for this. Without it, without her empathy and her desire to make things better for those who need a hand up, perhaps it would just be another clinic. But, with Powers on staff, it’s a place that the Fern Ridge area can be proud of.
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