St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic

Medical Services

999 West Amador Avenue
Las Cruces, NM 88005
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 6875
Las Cruces, NM 88006
PH: (575) 527-5482
FX: (575) 525-3542
Email: stlukes@mvcommunityofhope.org
Website: www.mvcommunityofhope.org

Mission Statement

The mission of St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic is to provide limited, temporary health care services to meet the physical, mental and emotional needs of adult homeless, non-working and working persons who do not qualify for established plans of health care aid.

These services are at no cost to the qualified adult patient, and are without regard to religion, sex, race, age, handicap or national origin, and with the criteria being a genuine need for such services and an inability to obtain health care elsewhere.

History of St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic

In 1989-1990 members of St Andrew’s Episcopal Church joined with local doctors and nurses to create and implement a plan to provide services to the homeless and working poor.

Dr. Stanislas Ting, Walt and Betty Ann Murfin, Georgia Guy, Nelson and Jo Holden, Katherine Peterson and Evelyn Chapman met with the directors of La Clinica, MMC and NM Public Health Department to develop a system of providing health services to be maintained by mutual cooperation and support. St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic opened its doors on January 3, 1991 in a house next door to St Andrew’s, a principle donor in the early years.

In January, 1998 St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic moved into its current location next door to the Community of Hope located at 999 West Amador Avenue. It is open Monday and Wednesday from 9:30 am until 2:00 pm, and on Thursday nights from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic Services

General Practice

Medical care
Durable equipment
Nutritional support
Referrals
Eye care, exams and glasses
Prescriptions
Specialized medical care

Diabetic Clinic

Diabetic counselor
Medication and syringes (if needed)
Supplies: cotton balls, alcohol wipes, lancets
Gluco-meter
Referrals for specialized medical care
Referrals for diabetic eye and foot care

Personal Hygiene Packs (once a month)

Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Soap
Shampoo/Conditioner
Razor

Social Worker

Referrals to support agencies
Emotional support

Clients and Referrals

St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic serves the working poor, the homeless, the elderly without assistance, and patients with life-threatening illnesses unable to afford their medications. We serve only those who have no other resources for health care.

Patients are referred to St. Luke’s by local churches, the hospital, human services, and other agencies to obtain health care and help to purchase prescription medications.

The number of clients and the number of visits by clients has increased over the years. In 1991 we provided medication to 163 people; in 2001 we gave medication to 1,605 people, and offered vouchers for medications from local pharmacies to many more. Although only open two days a week, we serve approximately 250 clients each month or 3000 clients a year.

Volunteers and Community Support

St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic is governed by a board of directors and is under the daily supervision of an administrator, a nurse manager and a medical director. Everyone working at St. Luke’s is a volunteer.

St. Luke’s is completely ecumenical. Nearly all faiths are represented among the directors and other volunteers.

Area physicians, dentists, optometrists, and opticians have responded to our needs. These professionals provide sample medications and treatment with a minimum or no cost to St. Luke’s, and no cost to our clients.

Funding Sources

St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic receives funding from churches, organizations, city, county, and individuals. We honor memorial donations (a card is mailed to acknowledge the gift). We accept cash donations, medical and office equipment and supplies, and items for our homeless packs. We do not receive state or federal money.

Accomplishments//Goals Achieved

St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic serves approximately 1,700 patients resulting in 2,800 patient visits per year.

St. Luke’s scope of work includes primary care, diabetic care and pharmaceuticals. When appropriate and available, St. Luke’s refers patients for dental, foot and eye care with the cost of the outside treatment borne by St. Luke’s.

The organization pays approximately $20,000 yearly for referred eye and foot care appointments, $3,700 yearly for patient lab work, and $45,000 for prescriptions.

Vision//New Goals

Expansion of programs to meet current patient needs.
Expansion of services to include programs addressing the care and counseling of patients with hypertension, asthma and cardiovascular problems.