Montana Medical Ministry

The Glacier National Park area in Montana is beautiful, but tourist and construction industries tend to be seasonal, and 30 percent of the residents of Flathead County are without medical insurance.

Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish responded. In 1994 Jay Erickson, a physician, and his wife, Meg, a registered nurse, joined other parishioners to establish the Shepherd's Hand Clinic, transforming the church into a volunteer-staffed medical facility one night a week.

Each year they see from 800 to 1,200 patients. Patients fill out a brief form that includes a box to check if they would like spiritual counsel. Starting at 6:00 p.m. the clinic stays open until urgent needs are met.

"I've seen them wait three hours," said Angela LaRoque, "but the doctors and staff are incredible" She, with her husband, a self-employed builder, and their three children were seated recently among 25 other patients around tables in the reception area. The LaRoques were all suffering with pink eye, which was currently epidemic at the local elementary school.

"An office visit with a local doctor runs about $60," said LaRoque. "It would cost $300 for us without prescriptions. We'd have to take out a loan or something. This is really a blessing."

— Millie Norwich

Reprinted from Leading Outreach