Christian Health Associates
I spent an hour with Dr. Brian Green (Executive Director, Christian Health Associates) and Sarah Mills (Associate Director, Christian Health Associates). I did not stop taking notes once during that time (challenging as we were at lunch, but I managed). It wasn’t close to enough time to learn all that I wanted to about the multiple initiatives this organization is involved with. Take notes, bookmark this website, forward the information on…this homegrown non-profit packs a powerful far-reaching punch that impacts each and every one of us in one way or another…
The idea for Christian Health Associates (CHA) was birthed in the early 80’s at a home group hosted by Brian Green who was, at the time, a Pastor at Abbott Loop. Sarah Mills was a part of that study and the two of them began dreaming about ‘a better way,’ a more holistic approach to health care that would meet needs and to prevent people from falling ‘through the cracks.’ The original plan was to open a counseling center (run by Dr. Green) with a daycare available for low-income moms who needed help while they worked to get on their feet.
The dream to offer "Help Along the Way" for the body, soul and spirit came together in the opening of Cornerstone Counseling Center in 1993. Dr. Byron Perkins (MD) and Brenda Moore (Faith Based Community Relations – see below) shared much of the same vision and – voila! Cornerstone Medical Clinic was opened in 1995. Cornerstone Clinic, Medical & Counseling Center provides a range of clinical services that help people physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. These clinics are located in the same building and are the income-generating portion of CHA. They offer discounted services to individuals referred from churches, and also bill and charge insurance companies. (907-522-7070 www.christianhealth.org)
CHA is the ‘umbrella’ organization that covers a number of increasingly impressive and impactful initiatives that meet practical needs locally and globally.
Faith Based Community Relations
CHA participates in the Faith-based and Community Initiative by supporting emerging faith organizations through technical assistance, shared resources and administrative support services.
To facilitate and encourage coordination of faith and community resources, CHA employs a Faith and Community Liaison (Brenda Moore) who helps promote trust and understanding as well as acting as a contact point for the community and faith-based organizations.
Anchorage Project Access (www.anchorageprojectaccess.org)
Over 115,000 Alaskans – nearly one in five of us – do not have health insurance. Anchorage Project Access (APA) helps the working class poor (those who make too much to be helped by government programs, but too little to afford health insurance) get the medical care they need. This model has been proven to improve health outcomes in other parts of the country, and has been very successful in its 5 years in Anchorage, as well. Hospitals, labs, pharmacies, x-ray facilities, etc have all joined the ranks of the more than 520 participating physicians in the Anchorage area.
APA serves as a clearinghouse that handles all of the enrollment, screening, and referral of patients to physicians; making patient appointments and much more. The volunteer network provides the medical services, accepting and treating APA-referred patients as any other insured patients. Patients must apply as each new condition presents itself…so, if I break my arm today and get treatment, I would need to reapply if I broke my leg next year.
Alaska Medical Missions (www.alaskamedicalmissions.org)
The United States throws away or incinerates $200 million worth of fully functional medical items annually (American Medical Association). At the same time, hundreds of millions of individuals suffer from chronic hunger and a severe lack of medical supplies. "The surplus from our health system could be used to heal patients and help physicians in the poorest, most desperate parts of the world. The problem is gathering it together and getting it to where it's needed." Enter: Alaska Medical Missions
AMM has a warehouse across the parking lot from CHA (right behind my office, as a matter of fact)…they collect donations of fully functioning medical supplies and equipment from individuals, private medical facilities, hospitals, manufacturers, AND…the cruise industry. Volunteers collect, inventory and stage donated items in a warehouse facility, after which they are distributed by short-term mission teams, church youth groups, career missionaries, airline personnel and others traveling via Alaska to impoverished countries.
Alaska Medical Missions has sent over 820 shipments of medical supplies and other humanitarian aid to more than 74 countries.
Wrap your head around that…from Anchorage, Alaska – 74 COUNTRIES received over 820 shipments of medical supplies and equipment. (Amazing!…or, in Russian – the language of many of the recipients of these supplies over the years: Удивительный!)
NOTE: AMM does NOT distribute supplies in the state of Alaska.
School-Based Health Centers
Clark Middle School has an on-site health center. This model has also proven itself in the lower 48 by filling a different set of cracks that kids from low-income families can fall through. Study after study has shown that kids who are involved in sports and other after school clubs and activities are more successful in school, less likely to be involved in drugs, alcohol, gangs, and other harmful activities. They are also…healthier.
You need a physical to participate in sports and several other school activities and clubs. Many kids in low-income families do not get the exams they need to be able to participate. This school-based health center is the ‘test’ for the program here in Anchorage…and all of Alaska.
This program falls right in line with something that I have heard Dr. Green say quite a few times: ”It’s help along the way. We come alongside our community in different situations and help them through it.” Yes, you do, Dr. Green – thank you!
How can you get involved? Visit the websites (listed above) and be informed. Do you need a doctor or appointment with a counselor? Visit someone who shares your faith.
Check out Alaska Medical Missions’ site and volunteer at a sort night…ask your doctor, dentist, lab, pharmacy if they know about AMM or Anchorage Project Access – are they participating? If so – THANK THEM! If not, encourage them to look into it. Are you (or someone you know) planning a missions trip? Look into the possibility of taking some medical supplies along – AMM will make it VERY easy for you to do so.
Can you afford to make a donation? You may do so online.
Most importantly – PRAY!
Thanks to an idea dreamt up in Bible Study thousands have been blessed and ‘caught’ before slipping through the cracks. What dream has he planted in your heart? CHA is proof that they really can come to pass (Well, they still don’t have a daycare…at least not yet…) The lesson here – go to Bible Study, dream, and do!
