Patient Load Doubles at Free Clinics in Tough Economy

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Flu concerns combined with tough economic times have packed a local free clinic with more patients than ever.

About 50 patients visit Dr. Boyd Shook's clinic every Saturday, but in the last few weeks, Shook said that number has doubled.

Shook and his group of volunteers help patients with free health care and medicine every weekend at the Fundacion Manos Juntas clinic.

"To me, this is what being a doctor is all about. This profession has been good to me. I love practicing this profession, and I love interacting with people who need help," said Shook, who is president of the Fundacion Manos Juntas clinic.

He said the reason for the increasing number of patients at his clinic is partly because the tough economy and job losses have been making people literally sick.

"We have some people here today who have more stress in their lives than they can tolerate," Shook said.

A majority of his patients, he said, suffer from hypertension and high blood pressure, including Brenda Perez who receives treatment at Fundacion Manos Juntas clinic. She is suffering from hypertension since her husband recently lost his job.

"When he lost his job it really upset me so I'm pretty sure that's why my blood pressure so high right now," Perez said. "Honestly, I'd probably be dead right now because when I first started coming my blood pressure and blood sugar was really, really high because I couldn't get the medications I needed."

Shook said he hopes his free clinic can relieve at least one source of stress in his patients' lives.

"These folks need a little bit of help to manage their stress. As they get good jobs, they have a tendency to have less stress," Shook said.

And for some, the free clinic seems to be the only stress-free part of their lives.

"If I don't get a job by the end of the year I'm probably going to lose the house and we don't know what we're going to do then," said David Hopkins, who receives treatment at the Fundacion Manos Juntas clinic.

On any given day, Hopkins' worries of finding work are overwhelming but being at the clinic brings the family man peace of mind for a moment.

"Wish there were more places like these that were more than once a week," Hopkins said. "I really appreciate this clinic being here."

Shook said making a difference in people's lives is what makes spending his weekends at the clinic all worth it.

"I been practicing medicinal for 50 years and believe me this keeps me young. I've got lots years and this keeps me young because of people like this," Shook said.

Shook is entering his 14 year of running the clinic, which has been funded by grants and donations.