In 2020 alone we saw 456 patients. This is the story of just one of them...

In 2020 alone we saw 456 patients. This is the story of just one of them…

“Oscar” became our patient in late 2019, thanks to his brother. Oscar was experiencing homelessness, even though employed as a laborer, and had a host of developmental and health challenges. Knowing Oscar also struggled with basic literacy, his brother recommended he enroll at Culmore Clinic where he would receive compassionate, culturally sensitive primary care, and interpretation support.

Oscar was diagnosed with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity; not uncommon in persons who lack access to basic medical services. With these illnesses now under control, Oscar enrolled in the Clinic’s counseling services, as well as the NOVA ScriptsCentral program which provides him with insulin and blood pressure medication.

Poor general health had impacted Oscar’s oral health too, so he became one of the first patients to participate in Culmore Clinic’s new dental service, launched in partnership with Fenwick Foundation in February.

When COVID-19 arrived, and the Clinic closed its physical doors, Oscar’s primary care moved to telemedicine. To manage his health remotely, Culmore Clinic provided Oscar with a home blood-pressure monitor, along with his regular medication, masks, and food supplied by Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center. In addition to his “virtual” provider visits, Oscar receives regular nursing case management calls to help him track his blood sugar, blood pressure, and medication changes. He has also received the influenza vaccine, thanks to Marymount student nurses and the Virginia Department of Health which provides the vaccines.

Oscar is now looking forward to joining the Clinic’s Diabetes Management Patient Group which provides evidence-based education and support that has consistently proven successful for diabetic patients.

Learn more about our patients and the services we provide for them.

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