Albany Inreach Services
It’s often after a long day of seeing patients that Takiko May, MD, realizes she is scheduled for a three-hour shift at the InReach Clinic, Albany’s free clinic for low-income families.
"But once I’m through the doors, I am rewarded time and time again by grateful patients,” said Dr. May, who is a hospitalist at Samaritan Albany General Hospital. “It’s always worth it and it reminds me of how blessed I am to have become a physician.”
Dr. May and the other volunteer providers who staff the clinic had plenty of chances to see grateful patients in 2009, as the clinic cared for more than 1,500 people — a new record. About one third of the InReach Clinic’s total operating costs are funded by the Albany General Hospital Foundation. A dramatic expansion of InReach Services in 2008 included collaboration with Medical Teams International and the Tooth Taxi to provide free dental services for low-income residents. As a result, more than 165 patients received critical dental care. An Albany Oral Health Council has been established to oversee dental issues.
In 2010, InReach estimates that it will easily surpass the number of patients treated in 2009, highlighting the important need for ongoing donor support.
Samaritan Albany Cancer Resource Center
The Samaritan Albany Cancer Resource Center offers a variety of services for patients who are undergoing cancer treatment or are cancer survivors — support groups, classes, a library, a salon offering wigs, skin care and massage — and now, a mastectomy fitting service called Contours.
With post surgery camisoles, breast forms and mastectomy bras, a fitting at Contours is designed to address patients’ individual needs. This service will provide the community an opportunity to donate new or gently used items that will go to a good home. “From pre-surgery consults to post-surgery fittings, Contours is warm and welcoming,” said Certified Mastectomy Fitter Clare Rollings.
“I talk each woman through the whole process and make sure she is comfortable and pleased with her entire experience, regardless of her ability to pay.”
The center is funded largely by the Albany General Hospital Foundation. Donations are used to underwrite the cost of special classes, wigs and prostheses and for a discretionary fund to assist individual cancer patients with miscellaneous small expenses.