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 2008, as the clinic cared for more than 1,000 people — a new record. About one third of the InReach Clinic’s total operating costs are funded by the Albany General Hospital Foundation.
The foundation worked to provide funding to dramatically expand the clinic’s scope in 2008 — an initiative that included hiring Judith Hamilton, FNP, who now serves as full-time coordinator of Albany InReach Services. InReach Services’ expansion 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.
“Our goal is to create urgent care services for the neediest individuals,” said Hamilton. “We couldn’t do that without the foundation.” In 2009, InReach estimates that it will easily surpass the number of patients treated in 2008, highlighting the important need for ongoing donor support.
Samaritan Albany Cancer Resource Center
The Samaritan Albany Cancer Resource Center combines education and resources to assist patients and families with quality-of-life issues related to a cancer diagnosis. The center offers:
- A library, complete with computer stations to research cancer topics as well as books, DVDs and CDs for check out
- Conference space for lectures and support groups with a wide array of presentations including the American Cancer Society’s “Look Good, Feel Better” program
- A wig and breast prosthesis service and makeup salon offering services such as mini facials, make-up and skin care products
- Massage therapy with licensed professionals
- Space for one one-to-one counseling with other health professionals such as dietitians, medical insurance specialists, pharmaceutical counselors, and social workers
- A lovely reflective garden
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.