RJEC Medical Clinic March 2025

The RJEC Medical Clinic promotes proactive health management among marginalized communities. By increasing the number of people who receive general assessments, blood pressure checks, and health education through quarterly health talk workshops and an annual health fair—all of which are intended to be family-friendly and empower the whole family—the RJEC Medical Clinic promotes general community health. 

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You're listening to Project Redcord Chronicles, a podcast of the Renee Jones Empowerment Center. We are so excited about this podcast about the Renee Jones Empowerment Medical Clinic because we want you to understand the benefits to the community today we have Marvin. that come to the clinic on a regular basis and I'd like to introduce him to our audience. Welcome Marvin. How are you doing? We thank you for joining us for this episode of Project Red Court Chronicles. Can you share with our audience what you've been able to gain by coming to the clinic? I feel like I gained a family for one. Yes. Now that I can come someplace I can trust the people that work here with my private information and whatever I need and make sure I get it done. Or if they can't help me, they point me to the right direction. That is wonderful. We are so glad because that's the whole point of us being here, we want you to feel comfortable. We want you to gain knowledge about taking care of yourself and your health and if can't provide the service, we definitely want to make sure you are pointed to someone that can. We're glad of that. Is there anything else you'd like to share about the clinic you enjoy? The young lady, Jalisa, she always give us that warm welcome feeling when we come around. Even sometimes my mic come and I be talking a lot. She don't run me off. She listen to me unless somebody else comes to get Sandy. She had to take care of that person, so I had to take a walk for a little while. Yeah, but that's nice. We do have a wonderful nurse, Jalisa, that runs the clinic. That's wonderful for people to understand that it means something. For someone to take time to listen to you and your concerns and make you feel warm and comfortable. That is exactly our goal here at the clinic. So we're glad to know that. We want people to know that we're only able to provide the clinic because of funding that we get from a foundation called Three Arches Foundation. And it's very valuable and we want people to know, and we want people to hear How important it is to have something like this in your community that you can just walk into. We really appreciate y'all being here. A lot of us wouldn't know what to do if y'all wasn't here. Yes. So we hope y'all continue to be around to help us. We thank you, Marvin, for joining us for this episode of Project Rare Core Chronicles. You have an awesome day. You too. We are so excited to let you hear from our nurse, Jalisa, We are celebrating two years of having our medical clinic open which was made possible by the Three Arches Foundation. Because it's the beginning of the year, we wanted to share with you some of our statistics of the people that have been served. At our medical clinic. I'd like to take the time to welcome our nurse, Jalisa, to this podcast Hello. Thank you for being here, Jalisa. Thank you. Anybody listening to the podcast for the first time learning about the clinic. We'll learn that we not only provide services to the community, but also services to the clients we serve, as well as providing services and outreach at two locations that are included within the grant we received. You have a number of areas where people are coming to receive services. So can you share with us what are our final numbers for the Two year period. Yes. For the year 2023 and 2024 the RJEC medical Clinic serviced over a total of 1,555 people. And that included our onsite clinic, our clients that we serve, our health talks and health fairs, our outreaches, including Arch Wood and Lorraine, and also our pop-up outreach. That is amazing. Can you specify the number of women and the number of men and the demographics for each group? Yes, so we sent a total of 802 females and 753 males. And they were either white, black, Hispanic, or Asian. That is amazing. We are definitely reaching some of the underserved populations in these areas within the community where we're located our outreach locations and even some of the clients that are being served. Thank you so much for those numbers because that is pretty powerful that we were able to serve that many people in a clinic. And we're grateful to Three Arches Foundation for making that possible for us. One of the other things I'd like for you to share with our audience is what were some of the successes that we experienced during this two year period? There were quite a few successes that we experienced. One thing that was very important when starting the clinic is building a relationship with the community. Cause it was something new, you have to build that trust with them so that was something that was really successful. Now we have regular people that come every time the clinic is open. Also, being able to help people who really need the help. Who doesn't have any medical insurance, or like it's some type of language barrier, or it's the reason why they are unable to see the doctor. Yeah. That's part of the biggest success is being able to help people and merge the gap between the people in the community and the healthcare system. And that's very important because sometimes those barriers keep people from even seeking out any kind of care. You said it was important to build relationships because as we've heard from some of the people that attend the clinic that's one thing that they emphasized, how feeling welcome and, being able to talk with someone and feeling comfortable is very important to people coming in and maybe haven't received care, don't have access to care. Making it a comfortable place for them to be is great. In all the successes, we are always happy about what we can do, and we're always thinking about what we can do to improve. Along with successes, we also had some challenges. What are some of the challenges that you experienced within this two year period? One thing was building a relationship with some people with the drug epidemic that's going on, they feel like they're gonna be judged because of the scarring and different things like that They embarrassed a little to come in So that was a challenge letting them know we are a judge free safe zone And that we just here to help so that was one of the challenges that we had to overcome also, helping people with different language barriers and different cultures that was, one of the things that was a little difficult. We had to figure out a way that we can communicate with people who have language barriers. So we started to use translators and give information that's in the language they can understand. That was one of the things that was really big. Yeah, I've witnessed that at outreach seeing people come up and a lot of times having some issues, feeling their blood pressure was up, they were feeling a little bit sick, and they wanted to get checked out but didn't know how to communicate. Like you said, that was something that we definitely learned. Now you have a translator machine. Can you share a little bit about how that machine is helping you to communicate with those who may speak a different language. Oh, yes. The translate machine is wonderful. They're able to express different things and I'm able to tell them exactly what's going on or things that they need to know or point them in the right direction. It speaks to them, they're able to read it too. Yes. It's amazing. That is awesome. That has been great to see. How that is helping with the challenge of not being able to communicate the people I've had the opportunity to see, when you're using that machine it makes them feel really comfortable that someone is understanding what they're saying. Very important. Are there any other challenges you may have encountered during this couple years? Yes, One thing that was a really big challenge that I noticed, they have the new technology where they see the doctor virtual to get refills on prescriptions or things like that. A lot of people really don't understand so they either miss the appointment or they miss read the terms in order to get insurance to even get refills for prescriptions and afford it. Even myself as somebody that goes, for someone who is not tech savvy, or maybe don't even have a cell phone the way things are now that you have to virtually, you gotta sign in. It's so much general information that people really need to understand. If you don't do this on a regular basis, it can be quite intimidating to say you have a virtual visit. And most of the time, people won't go. That was something that was really big being able to help them to understand virtual or different questions they could ask the doctor when they do go encouraging them to keep a log of their blood pressure. So when you go, it's oh, you have a high blood pressure this time, but every time you come to the clinic, you have a really good blood pressure. Just encouraging them to do different things to, okay. I know that's one thing that we want to be able to do more information about too, about virtual visits, what they can ask questions, how to sign on, how to use your cell phone. that way they can get the health care they need. That's awesome. Since we're talking about that, you developed a blood pressure journal that's really important and impressive to people when they go to their doctor, they get their journals where they have kept track of their blood pressures. Teaching them how to take control of their health. In that journal you have what other kind of information is in there other than them tracking their blood pressure readings? Yes. It's educating them on blood pressure, different things that affects the blood pressure, the importance of monitoring the blood pressure, and the things that high blood pressure can cause, and taking control of their diet and fluid intake and how it affects the blood pressure, different things of that nature. I've witnessed people asking. For those journals, I know at first it was a challenge, but now they look forward to getting those journals and keeping track of it, one of the people we interviewed, she's a part of a study at University Hospital on blood pressure. So that experience of her coming to the clinic really opened her up to be a part of that trial. Yes. So I thought that was amazing. Along with all of those challenges, knowing that we see a lot of people in the community who are addicted to drugs, and like you said, there's a shame factor. They may not want to get their blood pressure checked because you may see their track marks Overcoming that challenge. Has been really good. I've seen the transformation in the number of people in the community. And I would love for you to share with the audience about the kit that you put together to help those who are struggling with addiction. Yes. I was thinking, sometimes The drug addictions is out of people control, they try to fight the addiction, but in reality This is something that they do so came up with something to try to make it safe as possible to prevent the spread of infection or Someone becoming septus and having to go to the ER, so we came up with a kit that includes different things We have gloves antibiotics, antibiotic ointment we have alcohol swabs, masks, saline solutions to clean wounds, and different types of bandages to wrap wounds or track marks to prevent them from becoming infected. It was amazing that you came up with that, I've witnessed how important that kit is. To those who come. Now they know, that they can come. Yes, we would love for them to not do drugs, but, you know what, this is an addiction, and we still want them to be safe and healthy as possible, like you said, prevent spreading infections, one thing that stood out to me is when you started doing this, I remember someone mentioning That they no longer would throw their needles on the ground because you had given them a kit. It comes with a zipper bag where they can put everything in. That really stood out to me because we don't want someone walking past or a child see a needle on the ground and pick it up. Spreading disease by leaving needles on the ground. Yes. They did really appreciate that. And they really look forward to the kids. Sometimes they come to the clinic just for a kid. Yes. I'm just glad that we have them and we are able to help. As much as we can while they're going through this struggle and just let them know that we're here for them, no matter the situation, and no judgment, and it's safe to talk about it or ask questions. I also incorporated different things so they know, like, when to go to the ER or when to go see about something, when the infection is starting, yes, and that is so important. Now, another thing I want people to see, to know about is this. When the clinic is open to the community, we have a, entrance on the lower level where people can just walk in, it's easy for them. You have a lot of posters there and they have a lot of good information about drug and alcohol use and what it does to the body and other things. Can you share a little bit about those posters and the effect they have? Oh, yes. For example, we have quite a few posters. One that tells, like, how the body reacts to alcohol, heroin, and also cocaine. Yes. Because, sometimes people don't realize how much damage something is doing to their body. Yes. And so they actually sit down and you explain to them Oh I drink, but I don't have, I'm fine. My blood pressure is good. And then you start to explain, you show them the posters and you start to explain okay, it can start with this, like it affects the liver a larger stomach, And they be like, oh, wow oh, I do have that a little bit, so they are very good resources. Sometimes you see people walk past and take pictures of the poster. Yeah. Where they come in and just. I was just like, oh my goodness. I didn't even realize this. I have this going on and this. Maybe I should go talk to the doctor. I had a older gentleman that came into the clinic last week that was a diabetic. And he was outdone by the type of things, like the diet that he should be doing. Or other things that high blood sugar can cause. He had no idea. He took a lot of pictures to show his wife they appreciate it. I remember one man come in, and he actually wanted us to give him the poster to put in his building. Because he lives in a building where there's a lot of people who are addicted to drugs. And he wanted them to see what it was doing to their bodies. we're glad that you have these posters and information is available and they're able to learn and feel comfortable about asking questions. Empowering other people with the information, which leads to my next question about the programs offered through the clinic, the educational workshops, the annual health fair. We have these quarterly health talks, you can talk a little bit about some of the quarterly health talks that are set up for people to attend. Yeah, so we have quarterly health talks where we educate the community on different topics, we educate them and let them know how to take control of their health and their body. Yes. And we also make it very inviting. Where it's kid friendly and we do different activities stress relievers and different stations where you can learn more about your health and how to take control of it. Yes. I know when we first started it was a challenge getting people to come because they're not used to coming to something like that but the more we started to make it family friendly with games and activities and art therapy and adding all these components we were able to get. more participation in these health talks and annual fairs. We're grateful for that. I wanted people to understand, not only are you serving a community, but you're educating them through these events. The biggest one we had was a superhero. I thought that one was so much fun. It was great for the entire family because they learned a lot about their health. But they also had a good time doing it as well. We've learned making it family friendly is very empowering for the community. So we're grateful for that., I thank you, Jalisa, for all the work you've been doing for the past couple of years in the clinic we are so excited we did receive another grant for two more years. And we intend to continue to do great work. We got a few new things that we're going to be adding. Do you want to share a little bit? Yes. So on Fridays between 9. 30 and 12. 30, we'll be having a coffee and tea with the nurse, where you're able to come in and ask different questions and have a one on one. And that way you can get caught up with your health and learn, the questions that sometimes you don't have time or you're afraid to ask the doctor. We can go over those things and I can help you go in the right direction. And that is wonderful. I love that. I think that will make people feel more comfortable you're empowering them to take control of their health. What questions Should they ask, and that they have the right to ask those questions, and they want to be knowledgeable when they're going to the doctor. To do it and, that way they can get the health care that they need. Yes. Jalisa, thank you for joining us for this very important episode of Project Rare Core Chronicles, all about the medical clinic here and the services, and thank you again for all that you do for the community. Thank you. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Project Rare Core Chronicles, learning all about the RJEC Medical Clinic. We are so thankful you tuned in. Please remember to like and share the podcast with your friends and family and make sure people learn about the services available at the RJEC Medical Clinic. Be aware and care. Thank you.