Here, healthcare is community centered.
Watermark Health first provided healthcare services in the South Dallas Community in late 2020 through a COVID-19 testing site. As time went on, our Mobile Clinic was on site, building trust and learning the needs and requests of the community.
This faithful presence has built trust over the past six years, and grown into ongoing and expanded healthcare services, but more importantly deepened relationships.
We recently connected with the Mobile Clinic team and a few community partners to reflect on what they've been learning as we serve in South Dallas.
Listening to the Community
South Dallas' rich history includes the impacts of systemic racism that have influenced where people could live, the resources available to them, and ultimately their access to healthcare. As Dr. Providence outlines in the video, these historical realities continue to have an impact today, contributing to higher rates of chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes compared to other parts of Dallas. A study done in 2019 helped outline the reality of how an individual's zip code can impact their life expectancy. The area where the Mobile Clinic parks at 3400 Garden Ln was shown to have a twenty six year decreased life expectancy for men as compared to men in an area just a few miles away. Factors like access to healthy foods, safe walkable neighborhoods, transportation, living-wage jobs, and healthcare can impact these outcomes.
The systemic injustices affect the realities of the new friendships and patient relationships being built in South Dallas. Dr. Providence reflects on how Watermark Health's mission to care for the entire human and all factors influencing their health has allowed the Mobile Clinic to better serve the residents of South Dallas.
"For us our goal isn't to treat just what's going on. It's to make you feel known and heard and remind you you are loved by Christ. That's not something most people hear when they go see a doctor. This is not a paternalistic 'take this medicine and you'll be better.' Believing patients when they tell you something actually goes a very long way."
School Physicals: an example of Community Centered Healthcare
As the Mobile Clinic began seeing patients in South Dallas, an annual service that quickly became well received was providing sports physicals for students. Both area high schools send students from their athletic program to Watermark Health for this physical. Starting in 2021, Watermark Health began turning this service into an event- inviting students to come for their physicals and a celebration of the start of the school year.
As Coach Spindle, the Assistant Coach to the Lincoln Varsity Football Team shares, a student can't play without a sports physical being done. And football and other extra-curricular activities are more than a hobby. They provide stable, safe, healthy growing environments. For many students, including for Azarian Sewell, a Lincoln Football Alumnus, it can become a significant change in the path they'll walk down.
"When I was in highschool I wasn't always doing the right thing. I didn't have a football physical either and Coach Spin got me connected. I was able to get a football physical and that's when I was able to play football and it kept me out of trouble. It helped me a lot."
Azarian is now in college, and hopes to return to Lincoln to coach football back at his alma mater one day.
"The accessibility for medical health is huge....it's been a blessing." - Coach Spindle
The friendship has extended to the church as well. Pastor Marvin Walker and other Watermark South Dallas staff have had the chance to connect with the coaches, their families, and students over the years. Most recently, the church hosted the football team on site for a dinner to celebrate the start of the season and pray for the students.
Trust has been built with the coaches, and then with the faculty and staff, and their families know there's an urgent care they can go to. The church has been a beneficiary of all of that. - Pastor Marvin Walker
Your Giving Makes This Possible
This has only been possible due to generous donors. Watermark Health does not collect any insurance reimbursements and is primarily funded through individuals that donate because they are passionate about its mission. This Giving Day, you can be a part of what God is doing through Watermark Health in South Dallas. Now through September 17th, gifts to Watermark Health will be doubled up to $250,000. It is one of the most strategic times of the year to support the ministry.
Give today and be a part of redeeming healthcare, one person at a time.
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