Healthtips

Since the Minor Medical Clinic was established in October 2003, it has become a popular and much appreciated benefit for visitors to the High Point Furniture Market.

So many contribute their time and services to making this a valued medical service and truly deserve recognition for their commitment to making it happen twice a year. I initiated this program for Cornerstone in partnership with High Point Regional Health System and the High Point Market Authority as a way for the local medical community to give back to our business community and show support of the Market.

The Health System donates their 44-foot-long mobile health care facility, the H.O.P.E. Unit, while Cornerstone physicians, physician assistants and nurses provide free medical care. Cornerstone practices donate medical supplies and samples for patients.

Moochie Smith of HPRHS puts the unit in place, in a convenient location with a power hook-up, secured by the Market Authority and High Point Police Department, behind the Radisson Hotel. Volunteers from the hospital greet patients, assuring that they are comfortable and seen in a timely manner.

Nurses who work at the Market’s First Aid Unit serve as runners, getting prescriptions filled at local pharmacies for patients. The lunches for the staff are provided by the Radisson, and the Cornerstone courier team transports the medical staff from their offices to the Market Clinic.

The response from the market visitors who access the clinic is universally enthusiastic. “They are so appreciative,” said Angie Hamilton, RN, a nurse with Cornerstone Cardiology who has worked the Clinic every year. “They try to pay us, and of course, we won’t accept because it’s a free service. Patients are especially pleased to find out how easy it is to get a prescription filled to treat their condition.”

Clinic veteran, Dr. Al Hawks, enjoys providing care to the patients at Market because it calls upon the most basic areas of a doctor’s training. “We don’t have all the tests and lab services available in the mobile clinic, so we use the stethoscope, flashlight and general diagnostic skills to determine whether the patient’s needs are minor, or if we must triage them to the ER or one of our specialists for more extensive care,” he said.

Dr. David Moore of High Point ENT echoes Dr. Hawks’ comments adding that he finds the Clinic duty to be fun. “We know we are adding value to the Market, but we also get so much out of the experience ourselves. Working with patients at Market is different from my usual practice, even though many have symptoms that I see in my specialty like allergies and upper respiratory problems. I meet people literally from all over the world and these interactions are always interesting and very pleasant.”

Pat Miller, LPN, of High Point OBGYN, has formed relationships with some visitors who make a point of dropping in every Market, sometimes to get their blood pressure checked, but more often just to say hello, and express appreciation for the service. “Every year I make new friends and get reacquainted with visitors we have treated before. I guess you could say we’re becoming an institution at Market.”

This year the Minor Medical Care Clinic is open to Market visitors from October 1 - October 7 (10 am - 5 pm). The number of patients seen usually falls between 100 and 125. Patients have been from as far away as Taiwan, New Zealand, Qatar, Portugal and Canada and almost all 50 states. The most common conditions treated include cold, high blood pressure, seasonal allergy, sinus infection, sore throat, cough, bronchitis and minor foot injury.