Free health clinic focuses on outreach: ‘It comes down to the patients. That’s where the rewards are’

Though it’s based in Grand Island, there’s something about Third City Community Clinic that’s good for everyone’s well-being; a vivid reminder that generosity is alive in the heartland, and it is changing lives. It is controlling diabetes that may not have been controlled or helping a child start the school year on the healthiest footing possible.

“It comes down to the patients. That’s where the rewards are,” says Zach Meyer, M.D., medical director at Third City Community Clinic (TCCC).

TCCC was founded more than 20 years ago to serve low-income patients who could not otherwise afford basic dental and medical care — everything from well-child checkups and school physicals to ongoing treatment for chronic conditions. In 2015, the clinic reported 5,788 physician visits and provided more than $500,000 in donated and purchased medications and supplies

“We’ve found cancerous tumors, and we’ve been able to get people to the right resources. We’ve had patients come in with severe diabetic foot ulcers, and we’ve been able to direct them to appropriate care and help them avoid hospitalizations and amputations,” Meyer says.

TCCC, which is completely funded by donations, receives support from many community partners, including United Way, St. Francis Medical Center Foundation, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, which recently awarded the clinic a $7,500 Fearless Grant.

Beyond that, Meyer says the success of the clinic — which is staffed five days a week — depends on the compassion and expertise of so many individuals, including Executive Director Susan Aguilar, committed board members, and area caregivers who donate their time to TCCC and its patients.

“We have had tremendous support from the entire medical community and from our local hospital, St. Francis. It would be much more difficult to do what we’re doing if it wasn’t for the support of our local hospital,” Meyer says.

He assumed the role of medical director in 2012, but his clinic involvement dates back to 2010. The University of Nebraska Medical Center grad was introduced to TCCC during his residency and was encouraged to volunteer there on a regular basis.

“I was really drawn to the purpose and the cause,” he says.

In addition to serving as medical director, a role that spans fundraising to physician recruitment, Meyer provides pro bono care at the clinic one day a week “or whenever they need me.” All of this is in addition to seeing a full schedule of patients at Family Practice of Grand Island P.  C.

“I feel the calling through my profession and through my own faith to help those who are less fortunate,” he says. “When we see patients who come back on a regular basis and their diabetes is improving or their cholesterol and blood pressure are in check, we know we’re most likely prolonging their life and giving them a better quality of life.”

Dr. Meyer encourages others who feel called to serve to do it — make the commitment and seek out local opportunities.

“There are lots of needs out there,” he says. “The rewards you get from helping people certainly outweigh any fear you have to overcome to make that leap. … Once you start doing it, it becomes easier and easier to say ‘yes’ to those opportunities and become fearless.”

“Faces of Fearless” is a storytelling series in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska’s “Live Fearless” campaign celebrating people living their very best lives and inspiring others to do the same.

“Faces of Fearless” is a storytelling series in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska’s “Live Fearless” campaign celebrating people living their very best lives and inspiring others to do the same.