The Church Hill Medical Mission (CHMM) quietly celebrated its 20-year anniversary last year. CHMM was established in 2000 through the efforts of local physicians in Church Hill and Sheldon Livesay, OOA’s Founder and Executive Director to address the need for free and low-cost health services for the uninsured, low-income residents of Hancock and Hawkins County, TN and Scott County, VA.
Over the past 20 years, CHMM has served 1,000s of patients, providing them with critical health services: over 20,000 patient encounters, 82,000 Rx filled, 18,000 lab, eye, and dental procedures performed.
2020 created challenges as the clinic continued to operate amid restrictions on in-person visits and increased demand for clinic services.
CHMM suspended in-person office visits temporarily due to COVID-19 restrictions. They also served more patients in 2020 than in the previous year due to and increase in need and challenges faced by other clinics and healthcare providers in the region. he clinic.
The staff adapted to this 'new normal' by offering telehealth visits and home-delivery of life-saving medications to patient’s doorsteps.
CHMM also canceled its fundraising events resulting in a shortfall in financial resources. However, Dr. Schilling (Medical Director), who co-founded the clinic, expressed heartfelt thanks to God and the community for their prayers, financial donations and ongoing partnership with the clinic.
CHMM is much more than a medical clinic. It’s a place where people can have their physical and spiritual needs met.
Our volunteer doctors and health professionals are free to provide medical care and share the Gospel!
According to Dr. Schilling, it’s a ‘medical mission,’ a place where staff and medical personnel provide spiritual counseling, pray with patients, and tell them the Good News of Jesus Christ!
To fulfill God’s call and continue clinic operations, volunteer health professionals are needed. If you are interested in volunteering with the clinic or making a financial donation contact Tammy Brown: 423-256-2408.
When you contribute to CHMM, you help to rewrite the stories for so many of our neighbors in need.
Photos courtesy of Jeff Bobo and Times News