“Has he been gaining weight as far as you know?”

BABY JACOB HAS BEEN CONGESTED FOR MONTHS, BUT MONEY’S TIGHT.

Mary Walker, Jacob’s mom: “They expect money, a co-payment, so you can’t go….”

Dr. Paul Derden: “Does anybody smoke in the home?

“He has been when I’ve left him with my mom…”

Mary Walker: “I thought if they gave me medicine, I’d have to pay for it but when they told me it was no charge, it was a big relief.”

Dr. Paul Derden: “So you’re not feeling too good?”

TWO DOCTORS…

Dr. Tim Schwob: “What did you do to this originally?”

BATTLING ONE HUGE PROBLEM…HEALTHCARE FOR POOR PEOPLE IN AREAS WHERE THERE IS PRECIOUS LITTLE.

Dr. Paul Derden: “They have to make a choice between do they eat or do they buy their medications? And oftentimes it’s the healthcare that get sacrificed.”

POVERTY AND ISOLATION MAKE IT TOUGH FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES TO ATTRACT MEDICAL SERVICES, SO THESE DOCTORS COMMITTED TO BRINGING THE MEDICINE TO THEM… 3 DAYS A WEEK. THE TEAM TRAVELS TO SOME OF THE POOREST AREAS OF APPALACHIA. ALL SERVICES ARE FREE. THEY ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS.

Dr. Paul Derden: “It’s a ministry of sorts. We hope that God can use us- to work though us- to impact people’s lives for the better.”

(Older patient) “You can’t do nothing without them charging an arm and a leg for…”

WHEN PEOPLE DON’T HAVE INSURANCE THEY OFTEN PUT OFF SEEKING TREATMENT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

Dr. Tim Schwob: “They end up in ER’s and ICU’s and that sort of thing with problems that could have been taken care of.”

Dr. Paul Derden: “If you need anything…just come back….”

Dr. Tim Schwob: “It gives us a chance to put our faith into action.”

Dr. Paul Derden: “I can’t imagine a greater sense of fulfillment than what we’re doing.”