Healing Hands Clinic of Gordon County opened our doors of February of 2014; we have been providing free health care to our community for 12 years. Our clinic was the dream of Dr. Cindy Brown and Mr. Dean McDaris.
A little backstory, in December 2012, a front-page article appeared in the Calhoun Times newspaper detailing how the original committee was looking for volunteers. Nina Payne, RN from Advent Health Gordon (then Gordon Hospital) was the contact person. Formation meetings continued throughout 2013 with visits to other similar clinics in the area.
Volunteers were recruited, including many local MD’s, NP’s, RN’s, LPN’s and a PA. We did not have an actual building to use but were graciously given the use of half of a building on New Town Road. The other half was occupied by a home health agency. The Seventh Day Adventist Church provided us with the use of their large medical van; it was parked behind the building allowing us to have treatment rooms for our patients.
We partnered with the Georgia Volunteer Health Program which operates under the umbrella of the GA Department of Health. This program provides “sovereign immunity” for our licensed providers. We are one of 96 similar clinics around the state of Georgia, but each clinic is a separate entity. We have received no governmental funding, keeping our doors open solely with donations, fundraising and grants.
Later in 2014, when the space was no longer large enough to provide the care needed for our patients, we were fortunate to move into our current location at 440 Red Bud Road. This space has actual treatment rooms, a large waiting room, offices, a conference room, and space for a lab and storage.
In fiscal year 2024, we saw 436 patients. We are primary care for the majority of our patients. We provide basic care, laboratory services, prescription assistance through manufacturers, some medication assistance (as funds allow) and referrals to specialists as needed. We meet on Thursday afternoon/evening. Our medical providers rotate on a weekly basis. Currently we have 10 providers that work with us to treat our patients. We also have RN’s, phlebotomists, and several clerical staff that volunteer their time with us.
We are governed by a Board of Directors. Dr. Cindy Brown is our Medical Director. She also remains active as one of our volunteer medical providers. Other organizations that partner, donate, fundraise are:
Advent Health
Bargain Basement
Belmont Quilters
Calhoun First Baptist Church
Calhoun First Presbyterian Church
Calhoun Women’s Club
Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia
Crane Eater Community Church
Gordon County Sherrif’s Auxiliary
Habitat for Humanity
Mauldin’s Trash Service
Moss Memorial Baptist Church
New Calhoun Auto Auction
New Town Baptist Church
North Georgia Electric
Oostanaula School Community Club
Rock Bridge Community Church
Sonoraville Baptist Church
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
The New Calhoun Auto Auction
Voluntary Action Center (VAC)