Joined by federal and state officials, Operation Blessing President Bill Horan, center, and International Medical Alliance partners Dr. Dale Betterton and Dorothy Davison, left, hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for their free medical clinic in New Orleans.

"I promise you these people are going to meet the needs," said Chairman Powell regarding Operation Blessing. Powell is the White House’s federal coordinator for Gulf Coast rebuilding.

NEW ORLEANS - Standing poised with over-sized scissors in hand, Operation Blessing President Bill Horan was in good company as he waited behind a large red banner in front of OBI's New Orleans medical clinic.

He was joined on his left by International Medical Alliance partners Dr. Dale Betterton, director, and wife Dorothy Davison, IMA president and nurse practitioner.

To his right was Erin Brewer, assistant director of the Department of Health and Hospitals for Louisiana and Chairman Donald Powell, White House federal coordinator for Gulf Coast rebuilding.

All were in attendance for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for OBI's newly-expanded medical clinic in New Orleans East.

"We can't have full lives down here without health care," Brewer said at the ribbon-cutting.

The clinic, which has been in operation since April 3, has treated nearly 4,000 patients and filled more than 9,000 prescriptions for Katrina victims.

"This is the best of America," said Chairman Donald Powell regarding the Operation Blessing staff and volunteers. "I promise you these people are going to meet the needs. These are not people that walk out," he added.

As of May, the original 12' x 60' modular unit expanded to three buildings and now offers seven medical exam rooms, a minor surgery and trauma suite, a triage room, a lab, four dental exam rooms, a reception area, waiting rooms and several utility rooms.

"We're going to stay here as long as we possibly can," said Horan, OBI president. We have committed to remain in New Orleans until July 2007, he added.

Operation Blessing's commitment to stay is good news for residents who are battling chronic illness and have limited access to health care facilities and prescription medicines. Of the patients who have been treated at the clinic, roughly one half have high blood pressure, while approximately one fourth suffer from diabetes.

"I was trying to find my old doctor but her place had damage," said Robert, a patient at OBI's medical clinic. "Then I tried to go to a clinic near Tulane (hospital) but they told me I would have to come back the next day."

Unfortunately Robert, who suffers from diabetes, arthritis and knee problems, could not wait another day for an insulin treatment. His blood sugar level was at 345 instead of the normal 150.

OBI doctors and volunteer staff quickly treated Robert and sent him home with medication in hand – all free-of-charge. "Ya’ll came out and helped me pretty good. I got everything I need now," he said.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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