Tammy Stafford, Executive Director, St. Martin’s Healthcare, Inc.
Many St. Martin Healthcare clients work two or more part-time jobs to make ends meet for themselves and their families. They may be classified as “working poor.” With annual incomes of, on average, $25,000, St. Martin clients can barely afford rent, groceries, and fuel for transportation. This clinic, located in Garrett, Indiana documented over 3,300 patient visits serving 1,227 unique individuals in 2019.
Each patient treated at St. Martin’s must meet eligibility requirements, including residing in DeKalb or Noble County, be uninsured, or under-insured, and live at, or below, 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Statistical data shows that nearly 15% of adults in these counties are uninsured, 24% are underinsured, and nearly 40% do not have any type of dental coverage.
Tammy Stafford, Executive Director of St. Martin’s, has been a faithful servant to the working poor. Her sense of humor, determination, and conviction to making DeKalb and Noble Counties healthier–psychologically, spiritually, and physically, is evident in her commitment to providing high-quality service to every client that walks through the door.
Tammy relies heavily on dedicated volunteers who contributed more than 9,000 hours of time and talent in 2019 to serve patients and support the clinic operations. Many volunteers have been with St. Martin’s for years and the staff work together as a family. The family atmosphere is evident as soon as you walk in the door and are greeted by friendly staff members as though you are part of the St. Martin’s family.
Tammy says: “St. Martin’s has been a wonderful blessing for DeKalb and Noble Counties. Following the gospel of St. Matthew to love others as we love ourselves, SMHC’s story is one of love, need, hope, compassion, commitment, collaboration and action.”
Grassroots Grown
Originally conceived as a Christian outreach healthcare ministry by St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garrett, SMHC opened its doors to the uninsured in October 2005. Striving to follow Christ’s commands in the gospel of Matthew to "Love God as He first loved us and to love others as we love ourselves."
Under the medical direction of Dr. Stanley Greenberg, the clinic initially was open sixteen to twenty hours per week. The number of patient visits substantially increased as a result of tough economic times, and the clinic expanded its hours of service. In July 2007, an on-site dental suite opened to provide preventive services in addition to offering basic dental work.
An opportunity to buy the current building from DeKalb Health, coupled with a timely major donor gift, allowed SMHC to purchase their facility in 2008. In 2010 the clinic increased its available hours to care for those without health insurance. Limited vision service began in June 2011, targeting the diabetic population. A weekly general surgery clinic and a monthly pulmonary clinic were also added.
An Untimely Fire
An unfortunate fire on Good Friday 2013 caused severe interior building damage, resulting in an unexpected update to the facility. A temporary relocation at DeKalb Health allowed patient care to continue uninterrupted for 8 months. With the help of insurance and a great team of contractors and volunteers, the clinic reopened in late 2013 with an all-new look and feel. In 2016 St. Martin’s expanded services to include neighboring Noble County residents. In 2018, mental health counseling services were added. In 2019 the clinic updated paper charts to a full electronic medical records system.
Looking Ahead
St. Martin’s Healthcare Clinic is not only alive and well, but continues to thrive and evolve during frequent unnerving times of change and uncertainty in America’s medical landscape. St. Martin’s continues to operate entirely on community support with no government funding. Patient testimonials continue to confirm the value and need for the clinic.
St. Martin’s continued effort to reach those populations at greatest risk, makes the St. Martin’s/PHP relationship a great partnership. We are both committed to serving people and making their lives better through accessible healthcare.
