As the gospel song promises, “When the praises go up, the blessings come down.”
Three years ago at Lane Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Rev. James T. Morris was praying on how to help uninsured and indigent people meet their health care needs as Gov. Matt Blunt and the Republican-led Legislature were cutting Medicaid.
At the same time, local physicians and a pharmacist who had immigrated to the U.S. or are first-generation Americans had been looking for ways to serve those less fortunate.
Khalid Shaw, a Muslim friend of Morris’, told him about some Muslim doctors and a pharmacist who wanted to help. And there they all met, at the juncture of sincerity, divinity and service.
“We see a growing need for health care access for the poor and needy,” said Dr. Zia M. Ahmad, a cardiologist with Bi-State Cardiovascular Consultants.
The Salam Free Clinic at Lane Tabernacle will open for business on Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Isom Community Center building located at 916 N. Newstead Ave. in North St. Louis.
“This free clinic is very much needed in our community in the wake of State cuts to Medicaid, which left hundreds of thousands of Missourians without medical coverage,” Morris said.
“I am happy that my brothers and sisters of the Muslim faith approached me with such a possibility. God opened the doors by bringing these Muslim brothers together.”
The principals for the clinic will be Ahmad, Dr. Bahar Bastani, a professor of internal medicine in the division of nephrology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine; Dr. Larry Jones, a pediatrician, director of case management at St. Mary’s Hospital and a member of Lane Tabernacle; and Del Doss-Hemsley, director of the Lane Health Ministry.
An immigrant pharmacist also has pledged his expertise.
“Knowing what it looks like not to have American health insurance – that’s why I want to help,” said Mohamed Hassen, a pharmacist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital who came to the U.S. as an Ethiopian refugee in 1990. He went on to become a pharmacist after graduating from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
Classrooms in the community center are being converted into patient treatment rooms for the primary care facility. Two physicians will be present at the clinic to treat patients.
Salam will be open every other Saturday to anyone who needs medical checkups, physicals, women’s health, baby care, screenings, treatment or help preventing or managing health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, cancer and weight management.
Clinic doctors will also make referrals to local hospitals and community services for more intensive treatment and rehabilitation.
The name of the free clinic is very befitting. “Salam” is the Arabic word for peace.
The Saturday clinic is also seeking volunteers inside and outside of the health community. A training date will be announced shortly.
“We are looking for volunteers to help with client intake and held educate those who come into the clinic,” said Doss-Hemsley.
To inquire about volunteer opportunities at the Salam Free Clinic, contact her at 314-533-0534.
“We have to be who we are called to be,” said Morris.