Jamie Mothkovich - Executive Director for Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County met with Dispensary of Hope to discuss the impact of Mental Health treatment as a core element of a patient’s overall health.
Sometimes people think of mental health as completely separate from physical health, yet working in healthcare I’m sure you see first hand - the importance and interconnectivity between all of a patient's health needs. Can you speak to that, maybe how has that whole health approach impacted your patients and their health outcomes?
Jamie: We pride our clinic in the whole person care approach, providing individualized care for each patient. We take the time to get to know the patient, which builds rapport and trust and that helps in understanding their needs. If you’re only treating the medical side, then you’re putting a band-aid on a bigger problem. Mental health plays a bigger factor in their overall health. Significant trauma or temporary life changes can lead to bigger problems, and if we work to truly know our patients, then we can see how our work is really an opportunity to change a person’s life.
Pictured left to right: Jamie Mothkovich (ExecutiveDirector), Dr. Charles Pexa (Board President and volunteer), Melanie Herbold (Marketing and Administration Director), Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, Denitra Bovian (SC Free Clinic Assoc. Quality Coordinator), Orion Jeter (Development and Transition Director) and Virgina Ann Mullikin (SC Free Clinic Assoc Executive Director).
How has access to medicine from Dispensary of Hope helped you serve the patients in your community?
Jamie: If we did not have Dispensary of Hope, it would be nearly impossible to do what we do. It’s amazing to have medications on hand. Many other programs take time for approvals and waiting for meds to ship. And transportation in South Carolina is terrible, so having medication on hand has played a major role in patients being healthier and compliant. We are even able to fill prescriptions for patients who are discharged from the emergency room and then get them in to see a provider.
What do you think is the most significant measurable impact on your overall community?
Jamie: So many patients have been able to get back to work because their health is restored.. This is not only keeping patients out of the hospital, but also restoring them back to life where they can get back to work and have hope for their future. We keep track of the numbers of patients that go back to work, gain insurance and advance out of our clinic: In 2019, we had 104 patients and in 2020 - 65 patients (not counting COVID-19 job loss).
All free medical clinics help patients who have fallen through the cracks. It’s a huge opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in need. It does make a difference. We are humbled by the opportunity - and the fact that we are able to do that for our patients. We’re honored to be here for our community.
Dispensary of Hope is a national nonprofit collaborative and distributor headquartered in Nashville, TN with over 50 pharmaceutical manufacturer donors and over 200 dispensing sites nationwide. The network dispenses over 3,000 prescriptions a day to patients in need.