PROVIDING Health and Hope IN

The Florida Panhandle

by Jean Pate

Health and Hope Clinic (HHC) is a free health clinic in its 20th year providing medical, dental, pharmacy and mental health services for low-income, uninsured residents in the Florida Panhandle. “It is the only Northwest Florida free clinic of its kind within a 40-mile radius of the present Pensacola location,” affirms Dr. Erin Mayfield, one of the volunteer physician staff members.

The clinic provides “health” and “hope” by providing a safety net to deliver healthcare services to those who might otherwise go without. In the fiscal year 2021-2022, HHC provided a medical home to over 1,400 patients, including over 11,000 in-person appointments that were valued at over $1.1 million dollars.

Full-time medical services include family practice, general surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, lifestyle medicine, culinary medicine, mental health, cardiology, chiropractic care, optometry, neurology, diabetes education, physical therapy, and rheumatology. Volunteers include a total of 311 physicians, dentists, optometrists, nurse practitioners, and office staff. “Additionally, the clinic is a training facility for local university students studying medicine, pharmacy, nursing, social work and dental hygienist careers,” shares Mayfield. “In 2022, volunteers donated almost 47,000 working hours for clinic patients. The clinic staff is outstanding, working under the leadership of the Executive Director, Mrs. Sally Bergosh.”

Health and Hope Clinic provides spiritual care, full laboratory services, and an on-site state-licensed pharmacy. “It was the first location in the Florida Panhandle that was certified as a Narcan distribution site and presently supplies Narcan to local law enforcement and the general public free of charge,” says Mayfield. “Narcan is a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and can easily be administered by anyone with some basic training. Mayfield adds that someone does not have to be using illegal opioids to be at risk of an overdose. “Even prescribed medication for a legitimate need and taken as prescribed can sometimes cause harm.” The clinic’s free Narcan distribution program is made entirely possible by a grant from the Pensacola Bay Area Impact 100. HHC is funded solely by the generosity of private individuals, clinic sponsors, faith partners and local, regional and national grant opportunities. The clinic has a proven history of fiduciary responsibility and has earned national ratings with the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, GuideStar, and Great Non-Profits.

To learn more about the Health and Hope Clinic, become a patient, volunteer or donate, visit HealthAndHopeClinic.org.