to the people of their own communities in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
In 2010, they opened the doors to a free medical clinic for those without health insurance, hosted in the basement of their church. It opened with just a handful of volunteers.
“ It was a lot of work getting started,” says Robin.“ We were fortunate to have a lot of help from other free clinics as well as generous donations from Premier Medical Associates, The Monroeville Rotary, Monroeville Assembly of God and many more local businesses and people.”
Just a few years ago, the organization became a 501c3 nonprofit, making it eligible
for grant application. The clinics operate on donations alone through monthly giving, fundraising events and grants. The organization holds three major fundraisers yearly that include a Sarris Candies pretzel rod sale and a purse bash in the fall and a spaghetti benefit dinner each spring, where basket giveaways and auction items are available for bid and a clinic video is shown to the audience that recounts the year’ s good work throughout the community.
In 2015, the second free clinic expanded the opportunity for people without insurance to receive care in Turtle Creek.“ We saw a huge need for a clinic in the Turtle Creek area and it’ s where Bob grew up,” says Robin.“ He always wanted to give back to his hometown community in honor of his parents, Joe and Peg.”
Both clinics, formally known as Sheep Inc. Heath Care Center, currently operate with more than 90 volunteers ranging from doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses and nursing assistants to pharmacists, desk workers, greeters, and chaplains. All of these professionals are protected with malpractice insurance through the Federal Tort Claims Act( FTCA) and help to provide people who have no health insurance with the care that they need.
Patients come from all over to attend both of these local clinics. If the clinics are unable to provide appropriate medical care, the Beasleys refer patients to Catholic Charities. The organization is able to
complete simple lab tests free of charge through Quest Lab, X-rays at a discount through Premier and Monroeville Imaging, and provide free medication prescriptions through the Monroeville Giant Eagle, Target, Shop‘ n Save and the Turtle Creek CVS.
The clinics average about 100 patients per month.“ Since [ the Affordable Care Act ](“ Obamacare”) was put into place, attendance has seen a small drop, but there are still those who cannot afford insurance and therefore choose to pay the government penalty and attend these clinics,” says Robin. Often patients are in between jobs or not quite old enough for Medicare. The Beasleys encourage those who don’ t make enough money or who are unemployed to apply for public assistance.“ There are a lot of people out there who are in pain and need to see a doctor, but can’ t afford to visit one due to high co-pays,” says Robin.“ These patients come to our clinic with multiple chronic problems that have not been addressed for years. That is what we are here for— to help people who really need it, free of charge!”
The organization’ s staff is all-volunteer with the exception of Eileen Andrews, director of clinic operations, and her secretary.“ They both do a tremendous amount of work in the clinic and behind the scenes,” says Robin.
The clinics are always looking for volunteers.“ Joining is easy— just fill out an application, and we do the rest!” says Robin.“ We believe that our clinic is a valuable piece of the community. We love serving and helping people, and showing God’ s love to those in need.” For more information or to become involved, email Robin at robin. beasley @ sheepinc. org. n
The Turtle Creek clinic is open on the first Saturday of every month from 3 to 5:30 p. m. at Dr. Marshall’ s Valley Chiropractic office off the Triborough Highway.
The Monroeville clinic is open every Thursday from 6 to 8:30 p. m. at Monroeville Assembly of God Church.
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