Omaha’s health clinic at the Stephens Center is busier than ever, struggling to keep up with the rising number of patients. They’ve had to turn away some people who walk in for same-day visits. This clinic offers essential care to individuals facing housing instability and substance abuse problems.
Martin Bream is one of the patients who relies on the clinic. After losing his wife, he relapsed after being sober for over a decade, which led to homelessness. Now living at the Stephens Center, he finds comfort in the care he receives at the clinic, developed in partnership with OneWorld. Martin battles PTSD and night terrors from his time in the Air Force, and the clinic has provided him with the consistent treatment he desperately needed.
“When I first came here, they did a weekly checkup,” Martin recalls. “They got me back on a stable medication.” In contrast to his previous experiences, where he had to wait for months to find the right medication, the clinic’s steady support has made a real difference.
Katie Sunde, a dedicated volunteer at the clinic, is also feeling the impact of the rising demand. “My schedule’s always been full,” she says. Many women needing healthcare have been coming in. The clinic saw its number of visits double last year and is on track to exceed a thousand visits this year alone.
Not everyone can get seen immediately without an appointment. “We are a little busting at the seams,” Katie admits. According to recent statistics, many healthcare facilities in urban areas are facing similar challenges. A report from the National Association of Community Health Centers found a 25% increase in patient visits across the country over the past year, showing that the need for accessible healthcare is more crucial than ever.
Martin expressed how this consistent care is transforming his life. “You start feeling like you’re important again,” he shares, recalling how he once avoided healthcare due to fear of judgment.
The Stephens Center plans to expand its housing to accommodate more residents, anticipating that their population will double in the next few years. They are also considering expanding the health clinic, which currently has just one lab room and one exam room, to meet the growing demand.
As healthcare needs rise, ongoing support and expansion are essential for both residents and the clinic. Accessible healthcare can make all the difference in people’s lives, as shown by Martin’s journey.
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