Health Center

The J. C. Lewis Health Center

The facility is a federally qualified health center and offers 32 primary care beds for respite care and is the main site for general outpatient care, including dental health, eye clinics, and health promotion. 

The services provided through the J. C. Lewis Health Center in 2007 saved Memorial Health University Medical Center and St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System $26,950,510 in the cost of uncompensated care.

Outpatient Services for 2007

• 4,086 patients were seen
• 15,755 medical patient encounters 
• 813 emergency room diversions

Respite Services for 2007

• 182 total admissions

Our Services:

Out-Patient Primary Care– The J. C. Lewis Health Center serves individuals that are homeless through our patient primary care services.

· Primary Care Physician services

· Medication Assistance  services

· Medical Planning and Prevention

Respite Care—J.C. Lewis Health Center operates a 24-bed respite care facility. Individuals who receive care through the respite care facility are deemed too sick to live in areas shelters, however they have completed their medical stay and have been referred by local Medical Centers for further monitoring.

· Medical Monitoring

· Transitional Planning

·  Shelter & Housing Referral  services

· Economic  Education & Referral services 

Long Term Respite Care  The J.C. Lewis Health Center operates a 6-bed long term respite care unit.  Patients in long -term respite care stay an average of 30 days longer for primary care monitoring and  treatment.

· Medical Monitoring

· Transitional Planning

· Housing & Economic Assistance Referral  

Prison Re-Entry Program–  The Prison Re-Entry Program allows rehabilitated ex-offenders who have a chronic medical condition at release from prison to a 90-day medical monitoring and transition treatment.

· Medical Monitoring

· Transitional Planning /Discharge Planning

· Treatment Planning

· Housing & Economic Assistance Referral

Case Management-  All clients who are housed at J.C. Lewis receive case management services to assist with:

· Case Planning

· Medical adherence

· Housing referral

· Social Support referral

Nutritional Education Care The J. C. Lewis Health Center offers nutritional education by a licensed nutritionist.

· Nutritional Education

· Nutritional Planning

· Dietary supplementation

Transportation The J.C. Lewis Health Center provides transportation services to and from medical appointments for homeless clients who lack adequate transportation to doctors appointments and for medical testing.

Dental Care– Oral Health services are available to  homeless patients though J.C. Lewis Dental Health Center. Services offered are:

· Oral Health Education

· Oral Health  Screening

· Oral Health Monitoring

The J.C. Lewis Health Center Dental Clinic:

The J.C. Lewis Dental Clinic is a volunteer led dental clinic that provides free dental care to the Savannah area’s homeless population.

Homeless persons are 12 times more likely than individuals with stable housing to have dental problems, and their problems are more severe.

Only 53 percent of homeless individuals who have no teeth have a set of dentures.  Over 80 percent of homeless persons have not had their teeth cleaned in the previous 4 – 5 years.

Over 95 percent of homeless children 5 – 9 years old need dental care with 45 percent of those children experiencing pain or infections. 

Since September 2000, over 2,200 homeless persons have received oral health care during 6,727 dental clinic visits.  Over 21,675 dental procedures have been performed during 965 clinic sessions. 

The time, talent and skill of over 100 volunteer dental professionals have made a difference in the lives of many.  Dental volunteers provided preventive, restorative, surgical and prosthetic services to those who otherwise, would have not received these life changing oral health services. 

“A compelling smile illuminates your face and quietly says, ‘I care about myself.  I like who I am’…(and it) can open doors and knock down barriers that stand between you and a fuller life.”    - Dr. Ronald Goldstein, Author, “Changing Your Smile”

Benjamin:

Benjamin has made great strides in the process to piecing his life back together.  When Benjamin was referred to Union Mission’s Grace House from Memorial Medical Center, it appeared he was functionally blind, suffering from memory loss, and just barely beginning his recovery from a recent surgery. Because of the seriousness of his condition, Benjamin was transferred from Grace House to the J. C. Lewis Health Center for respite care.

 

While at J. C. Lewis Health Center, Benjamin underwent more surgery to help correct his vision problems. Union Mission collaborated with the Knights Templar Eye Foundation to assist with funding the procedures necessary to restore his vision.  Staying at the J. C. Lewis Health Center for the duration of his post-operative care ensured the success of his recovery.  As soon as he was able, Benjamin began to read anything that he could; for so long he had been unable to see the basic things that most people take for granted.  

Benjamin moved on to be the resident manager of the J. C. Lewis Health Center.  He gained this position by assisting staff members with small duties and was eventually hired as one of the center’s live in managers. Benjamin continues to give accolades to Union Mission staff for helping restore his health so he could begin his new life.

Contact Information

Rena M. Douse, RN, BSN

Program Coordinator

125 Fahm Street

Savannah, GA 31401

Phone: 912-495-8887 Ext. 1220

Fax: 912-495-8881

Email: rdouse@unionmission.org

 

Aretha R. Jones, MPH, MA 

Vice President of Primary Health Services

Office: 912-495-8887 Ext. 1201

Fax: 912-495-8881

Email: ajones@unionmission.org

 

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