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Two United Methodists are making medical miracles come true in a small Arkansas town. But they are no longer unsung heroes for starting a free medical clinic in Eureka Springs. Dr. Dan Bell and his wife, Suzie, members of Eureka Springs United Methodist Church, received the blessing of one of the nation's most influential cultural figures when they were featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" May 19. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a correspondent on the show, visited the clinic to tape a segment of "Heroes in Hard Times." For Suzie Bell, it was just another sign that the Eureka Christian Health Outreach clinic is part of God's plan. Even Oz could sense that the couple is on a mission to make sure everyone in the community has access to health care. "From medical care and counseling to serving up a hot meal, everyone is made to feel at home," Oz said on the show. "There's sort of a unity of spirit that I feel when I'm here. And, you know, it's not high tech, but it's high touch." In the segment, Oz reported on a night he spent talking and seeing patients with the Bells at the clinic. Jeff, a patient at the clinic, told Oz he has diabetes but no health insurance. "If the clinic wasn't here, what would you do?" Oz asked. "Probably fall through the cracks," Jeff said. New life plan The Bells started a free medical clinic after attending a workshop at their church on how to be better "kingdom people." "In that process we had to make a life plan, a mission plan, and through that whole process I learned that God was calling me to be in mission," she said. "I always wanted to do that anyway but I realized I could do it locally, I didn't have to go to Africa." The center has treated more than 1,200 people since it first opened its doors Nov. 10, 2005. In the December 2008 clinic newsletter, they reported 14 doctors and nurse practitioners volunteer from the community. During his visit, Oz was "delightful, energetic and so sincere," Suzie Bell said. "He was blown away by what we are doing." Oz arrived at the clinic after assisting in four open heart surgeries at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. "He was coming from the most high tech place and landing in this little Arkansas town. … His first question was ‘Do y' all just eat gravy all the time?'" She said Oz also was astounded to see the clinic had electronic patient records, something his hospital is still working on. "He loved being hands-on, getting in with the patients and being a doctor. He was impressed, he really was." Community effort Most of the churches in town help with the clinic. The gym of the Faith Christian Family Church is transformed into a full-service medical center on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The clinic operates from 5 to 8 p.m. and on those nights, the church nursery doubles as a pharmacy. More than 200 volunteers from several churches take turns providing a hot meal for the patients and volunteers. "Now they are competing with each other to see who is bringing the best food," Dan Bell said. "And when the patients, doctors and nurses all sit down to eat together, it changes the spirit of what you're doing. We're really trying to do what Jesus did. He fed the hungry, healed the sick and ultimately saved their souls." The Bells don't have any big plans to watch the show, but Suzie says "the whole church is praying that God will do something really wonderful with this." View "Dr. Oz Visits the ECHO Health Clinic Video" at http://www.oprah.com/media/20090416-tows-dr-bell-free-health-care. |
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