Most homeless people tend to place less priority on their personal health. If it were not for Bethesda's clinic, many would not seek medical attention until a problem became so unbearable that they were forced to seek care from a local emergency room. Some who are eligible for Medicaid elect to join a local clinic's health plan. But those who cannot get medical assistance or cannot secure the funds to purchase medicines are the folks who most likely ignore their medical problems. Colds, flus, and other related seasonal illnesses seem to top the list of problems.
Some patients have simple rashes, poison ivy, and assorted allergies.
I am challenged to get a good history and examine them carefully because I can't just send them off to get an electrocardiogram or other expensive testing. This seems to have a positive effect on the guest for follow-up in addressing health care, as well as other issues in their lives. M.D. Tragically, in the summer of 1991, Dr. Weitzel was killed in a plane crash. It was through his initiative that guests of the Mission began receiving professional health care. Dr. Sumner was largely responsible for getting the clinic started on a weekly basis and has coordinated and recruited Hershey Medical Center doctors, nurses, and students.