Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic — Above and Beyond Businesses

Mandy Eller, executive director of Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic, discusses the health care challenges of rural Tennessee and how the clinic addresses those challenges in Grundy County.

Episode Transcript

Karen Wilson: Welcome to The BLC Connection podcast. (00:02):
undefined
I'm Karen Wilson and your host for today.
The small episodes will focus on local businesses that excel atparticular parts of customer care.
Today's guest is Mandy Eller with Beersheba Springs MedicalClinic to discuss the health care challenges of rural
Tennesseans and how the clinic addresses those in Grundy County.

(00:26):
Welcome, Mandy.

Mandy Eller: Hello. Thank you, Karen. (00:27):
undefined
I appreciate you having me here.

Karen Wilson: Yeah. Okay. Well, you have been in this role as the executive director there for almost a year, or longer? (00:30):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Yes, about 14 months. (00:37):
undefined
Yes.

Karen Wilson: All righty. So start, I guess, by telling the audience about the medical clinic, what services you all provide, and kind of (00:39):
undefined
the mission of the clinic.

Mandy Eller: Yes. So we provide primary care. (00:48):
undefined
We also provide ambulatory services, you know, but also we havea dispensary onsite.
And we have a dental clinic.
So we do a lot of work with a few people.

Karen Wilson: Right. Yes. (01:02):
undefined
And, you know, as I was thinking about the clinic and itslocation.
Beersheba Springs is such a beautiful area, but there's not a lotof resources up there.
It's got tons of beauty, but if you need to go to the doctor, tothe grocery store, there's not a lot of choices.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. Yes. (01:23):
undefined
And that's exactly why the clinic was created.
So Dr. Adams, our main founder, went to Beersheba Springs formany years when he was a
child. You know, it was their vacation site and, you know, atthe hotel there.
And he really loved the area.
And he and his wife decided to buy a home down there.

(01:43):
And they made friends with people in the community.
And he had a neighbor who he saw one day, she came to work onhis house and she had what looked to
be like cellulitis right above her eye, which can be verydamaging.
And he said, "You must go.
You must go get help now." And she said, "Well, I don't knowwhere to go, and I don't know how much it's going to cost." And

(02:04):
so she wasn't going to go.
And so he and his wife took her here to River Park, and whenthey were leaving, the bill was going to be $2,400.
And of course, with his knowledge, he was an infectious disease,a pediatric physician.
And, you know, so with his knowledge, he said, "You know, wedon't have any insurance.
We're going to pay this today." And they were able to get it downto $600.

(02:26):
And so she was she got treatment and went back home.
But my favorite part of the story is she actually came back tohis house later that day with $600 and said, "I had that.
I just didn't know how much it was going to be.
And, you know, it scared me." And so, you know, that's thesituation that so many people are in, in this state.

Karen Wilson: Yes, that is so true. (02:44):
undefined
And we think of, I think, because you and I live in McMinnville,and we're surrounded by some medium
towns, medium sized towns with a hospital and doctors and thingslike that.

Mandy Eller: Yeah. (02:58):
undefined

Karen Wilson: When you go out up the mountain, especially, there are so few resources, and you don't really think about like (02:59):
undefined
just you've got a cold.
And just even with COVID and all the things now, people havebeen untreated.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. You know, and we see people from, you know, it was 18 different counties this last year. (03:15):
undefined
And so, you know, because we are a completely free clinic, it isunique in that way.
I think there's two other clinics in the state that are set upthe way we are, but we don't take any insurance at all.
Don't bill any insurance.
And so that opens the door for a lot of people, you know, and alot of people, they're not necessarily unemployed.

(03:42):
Most of our patients have jobs.
They're just not insured, or they're underinsured.
And so they hesitate on getting the care that they need for thatreason.

Karen Wilson: Yeah, you see that many times, if you watch TV and you see some of these shows with people with things and you (03:51):
undefined
think, "Why did they let it go on that long before gettingtreatment?" Well, it's probably because of insurance.

Mandy Eller: It is. It is. And, you know, that's a big reason why I went to the clinic. (04:05):
undefined
You know, I have experience with that, with my dad and mysister.
You know, they were either uninsured or underinsured.
And so they didn't seek care in a timely manner because, youknow, seeing it from their perspective, though, we never had the
chance to have this conversation.
I really see it as they were trying to make a decision on, youknow, do I seek care and potentially lose everything I've ever

(04:30):
worked for?
You know, or do I just see if I'm going to be okay?
And they hope that they're going to be okay, but then theyweren't.
You know, and I can't say that, you know, lack of insurance isexactly why they're no longer with us, but I definitely think it
factored into it.

Karen Wilson: Yeah, you lost a sister during the Covid-19. (04:45):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Covid. Yeah. (04:47):
undefined

Karen Wilson: Young, You know, beautiful lady, who you just did not anticipate would be gone because of it. (04:50):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Right. Absolutely. (04:56):
undefined
Yeah. And you know, and I was her next of kin.
So I was taking her and navigating this huge system.
And I saw how, you know, it's not the people in the hospitalsfault.
You know, I feel for the case managers and really the doctorsand the nurses and everyone having to deal with this huge
bureaucracy, you know.
And so I saw how difficult that is to navigate for families.

(05:18):
And so when this position came open, I thought that would be agreat way to kind of to do it the right way.

Karen Wilson: Well, and as you said, this wasn't on our topic, but that brings up to me how important an advocate is, (05:24):
undefined
because your loved one is probably sick, not feeling well, noteven processing everything that they're going through.

Mandy Eller: Right. (05:40):
undefined

Karen Wilson: And that other person needs to be there for them, whether it's a friend, a family member, to hear and to understand (05:40):
undefined
what all is happening.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. And I even had to rely on, you know, nurse friends and physician friends to help clarify the situation and say, "You (05:50):
undefined
know, is this really how it is?
Or are they just having to tell me this because of this certainsituations and laws and things?" And so it was a lot to
navigate. Absolutely.

Karen Wilson: Yes. So you kind of told us about the clinic beginning. (06:07):
undefined
Dr. Adams, I believe you said.

Mandy Eller: Yes. (06:12):
undefined

Karen Wilson: And so I guess he started working as far as utilizing resources. (06:13):
undefined
Tell us how that actually came together.

Mandy Eller: So there were, I think, three or four people on a porch in Beersheba Springs at one of the homes, and he told the story of (06:21):
undefined
his friend whom he had helped.
And it was he and Phil Mayhew.
They gave the money.
And then another was Renee Hobbs, which she's been the officemanager until this year, and I have her moved over to community

(06:43):
health worker now, which is extremely important.
But she was one of them, and then another citizen in BeershebaSprings, and they came up with this concept in 2008 and
got it fully incorporated by 2010.
And it's been open since then.

Karen Wilson: I can't imagine how you even begin to organize something to where you're giving free (06:58):
undefined
services, free medical services, which we all know the expenseof that, to an entire territory, region of people.

Mandy Eller: Yeah. (07:12):
undefined

Karen Wilson: And, of course, we'll touch on that a little bit. (07:14):
undefined
I'll go ahead, I guess, and bring that up about you all are a 501c3.
Yes. But you receive no funding on the state or federal level.
How is that possible?

Mandy Eller: Right. Yes. (07:28):
undefined
And so yeah, it's the generous donors.
And honestly, it's the story of the clinic and what the clinicdoes.
I've been amazed because, you know, since I've been there,we've really been working on grants.
That was really what I was bringing to the table, because beforeit was all individual donations, which is incredible, you know?
But the people there in Beersheba Springs, they have homesthere, and they support their friends with the people in the

(07:52):
community. And so they they give very generously to the clinic.
And then we also have physicians who, you know, our volunteerphysicians who come in and work with us, who also support us.
And so it's incredible the support it does receive.

Karen Wilson: Yeah, I mean, it's got to take people like that doing it. (08:07):
undefined
But as you said, grants, and luckily it's a good time forgrants.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. Yes. (08:15):
undefined
And so that's. Yes, because, you know, there was kind of amisconception whenever I came in of, "Well, we don't take state
or federal funding, so we have to be careful." But I had awonderful conversation with Dr.
Adams, and he said, "You know, as long as it just doesn't dragus into having to be part of that bureaucracy, you know, if we
can stay away from that." Because that's really why we get a lotof the volunteers that we get because they actually get to just

(08:39):
do what they went to school to do.
You know, they don't have to worry about all the insurance andthe bureaucracy.
They're not plugged into the system.
They just really get to be with the person the entire waythrough the process.
They even get to hand them their medication and explain to themhow to use it.
And that, you know, I try to talk to every resident andphysician who comes in and that's what they say consistently, is

(09:00):
they just love how it's so grassroots, you know, and they get todo what they normally wouldn't get to do otherwise.

Karen Wilson: Probably go back a hundred years or so into how doctors and nurses were able to do the (09:07):
undefined
job without all of the paperwork and things like that.

Mandy Eller: It does, but it also brings in the modern element of medicine. (09:19):
undefined

Karen Wilson: Yes. (09:23):
undefined

Mandy Eller: You know, I mean, we have a dispensary there on site. (09:23):
undefined
We don't keep any controlled substances or narcotics, but we dooccasionally prescribe, say, gabapentin for diabetic
neuropathy. We have lots of diabetic patients.
You know, and our patients, do, they have very complicatedcomorbidities and, you know, due to their life circumstances.
And so it's also an interesting challenge for the doctors whocome, you know, to get to the bottom of everything that's going

(09:48):
on with this person.
And thankfully, we have wonderful physicians.
We have programs with Erlanger and Saint Thomas, and they runresidents through.
We have physicians who are over that program to the UT Collegeof Medicine.
They send residents to us.
And yeah, every Friday, we receive a rotation.
And we also are part of Yale's Global Health Program.

(10:13):
And so we're actually going to get a Yale resident down here inthe spring.
So we usually get one a couple of times a year for a few weeks.

Karen Wilson: I bet they're amazed at the beautiful location, and then getting to know the people of Tennessee. (10:22):
undefined
Wonderful people.

Mandy Eller: Yes. Yes. And they get to see a whole different side of medicine. (10:29):
undefined
And that's something that I think that the clinic also plays avery important role in educating people from all over on, you
know, the needs of rural citizens.
You know, unfortunately, a lot of rural students are not goinginto medical school.

(10:50):
You know, and part of that's because they think, "Well, youknow, we won't score as high on the on the tests and all of those
things." And it's sad.
And because the fact is that doctors, if they've grown up in anurban area, don't typically go to a rural area, but we have the
opportunity to bring these physicians in from all over.
You know, one's just starting out in their residency and get toshow them the needs of of rural Americans in

(11:15):
Tennessee.

Karen Wilson: Challenges here are very different than urban areas. (11:15):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. (11:18):
undefined

Karen Wilson: We could talk about that. It would probably be a whole another podcast, I would think. (11:19):
undefined
So, let's talk about some of the challenges of providing medicalcare in that area of Tennessee.
I go back to the people of rural Tennessee and just ruralAmerica in general.
Are people, I guess, resistant of doctors?

(11:42):
Let's talk about as far as the education of what theircircumstances are, as far as their health, and things
like that. What are some of the challenges?

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. So, you know, a lot of them before the clinic opened, had never been to a doctor. (11:52):
undefined
And maybe they'd been to Doctor Harbert, you know, which he was adoctor, don't get me wrong.
But, you know, it was not the extensive kind of medical carethat they were needing.
And so, yes, there is.
It's a generational thing that, you know, their parents didn'tseek it until they absolutely had to have it.

(12:16):
And they do the same thing.
And so it's a re-education trying to educate them that, youknow, let's get on top of this and stay on top of it, you know,
so that you can have a longer life.
And it's a challenge because generationally, it's just not whatthey've had available to them.
And but, you know, we also have really great success stories,you know, people changing their lives and turning their lives

(12:38):
around. So, you know, it does make a difference.
It really does.

Karen Wilson: I noticed you all work with Steve and Karen Wickham. (12:42):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Yes. (12:46):
undefined

Karen Wilson: And they're diabetic – and we've had them on Tabletop before it Ben Lomand. (12:47):
undefined
But education, I'm sure, is a huge part of, you know, here's thesituation that you're in.
Let's try to change that.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. Absolutely. (12:59):
undefined
And there are additional challenges.
You know, we just brought on an AmeriCorps service member toactually work with them individually as well.
So we do the classes, but then they actually make anappointment.
And because it's been, it's interesting just, you know, teachinga class, it's not exactly the easiest way to reach our
patients, you know, because that might be an uncomfortablesituation sometimes.

(13:21):
So we offer it because it's important information, and they comeand they participate and that's great.
But we also need to help them on a one-on-one level, becausethere are so many other barriers that they're facing.
You know, you mentioned, I think, grocery stores earlier.
That is. I mean, it's a food desert.
And so it's very hard for them to get fresh foods.
So we're talking about this spring bringing back our raise bedsand incorporating that into our diabetic classes and looking at

(13:45):
doing a community kitchen where we all cook food together, andthey learn how to cook these fresh foods because that's also
something that's been lost, you know.

Karen Wilson: Right. We think of, you know, rural America. (13:53):
undefined
We've all had gardens and things like that.
But some of this generation is getting older and unable togarden.
Plus when we garden, we tend to want to fry everything, right?

Mandy Eller: Exactly. Yes. (14:07):
undefined
Yes.

Karen Wilson: But there are some healthy ways to fix those fresh foods that kind of, you know, maybe not tried before. (14:09):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Yes. And I'm glad you brought up the frying because we're looking at our classes coming up for diabetics and thinking about (14:16):
undefined
rewarding people with air fryers, you know, for coming andattending the classes.
So you've got to think of incentives on how to get them there,you know?

Karen Wilson: Yeah, that's a really good idea. (14:29):
undefined
That's a hot thing right now that a lot of people love, andyeah, a lot of times, it can be pricey, and it's not
something you're just going to go buy yourself to try.
That's a great idea.
Yeah. So the clinic also provides dental care in areas with fewresources.

(14:50):
I can think of probably even fewer dentists in that area.
Elaborate on the significance of that because I mean, we don'treally think of dental as being, kind of we think of it
as maybe even cosmetic, but it can cause so many other problems.

Mandy Eller: Dental care is health care. (15:05):
undefined
Absolutely, and that's why we created the clinic.
So my predecessor was the first executive director, and she saw,you know, these people, our patients coming in over and over
again for antibiotics with these abscess teeth.
And, you know, that's not good to have to take antibiotics somany times because then you can become resistant, and it really
causes problems.

(15:26):
And so, but there was no there was no solution.
You know, there's one dentist in Monteagle in Grundy County,but, you know, they have to pay.
And so people just weren't receiving the care.
And so they opened the dental clinic.
And thankfully to Smile180, the foundation under Delta Dental,funded our dental clinic, and it's the most high tech

(15:48):
. You'll have to come see it sometime.
It's the most high tech part of it, but thanks to them.
And thankfully we have a dentist, Dr.
McCracken. So his grandfather lived in Grundy County, and so –and he comes back and sees his aunt whenever he
comes up there.
But he teaches at UAB.

(16:08):
He's actually a really big deal.
I didn't realize because he's so, so humble.
And when I looked up his bio, I said, "Wow, this guy's cominghere." And I mean because he's written several books and, you
know, but he runs several clinics and including Revive Dental,and he was just opening that whenever he came to us.
And he sends residents to us every month.
And so we have a dental clinic day every month, usually pullaround 65 teeth, because what we're doing right now is just

(16:34):
extractions. And I'll tell you, Karen, that was the eye openingmoment for me whenever I started at the clinic.
It was, I believe it was, November of last year.
We had our first clinic, and our first patient of the day leftin tears.
And I thought, "Well, I would be crying too, because I think shehad her last six teeth removed that day." And, you know, I was

(16:54):
thinking about it for more like vanity, right?
But she was actually crying because she finally had relief.
It was the first time she hadn't been in pain in so long.
And she was actually asking for the dental assistants addressand the dentist address because she wanted to send them a gift.
And that just really, that changed.
That was perspective I needed.

(17:15):
You know, coming from a totally different kind of nonprofitwork.
That was really a reality check for me.
And I thought, "Wow, this is really important work.
These people need this."

Karen Wilson: It is. It is. (17:24):
undefined
And, you know, we are somewhat sheltered from being exposed tothat.
And, just how, I guess, common it is in areas like that, as yousaid, to go
untreated, in pain.
And a lot of times that's what has led people to addictions andthings like that.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. (17:48):
undefined

Karen Wilson: That was a big factor in rural America. (17:49):
undefined
But you were in pain.
You took medication.
You know, just to kind of get by.

Mandy Eller: Right. Yeah. (17:59):
undefined
Yeah, absolutely.
And, you know, I was going to say, we're also creating ourdenture lab, so that should be up this next
year. So, you know, we're removing all these teeth.
And I wanted to bring that up because it kind of hinted onemployment, and that is a big deal.
You know, whenever people begin to lose their teeth, they can'tjust get a job anywhere.

(18:20):
And they have to, you know, either in the back, in a warehouseor night shift, and think about what that does to a person's
psyche. You know, and just because their parents never took themto the dentist, you know, because they never went to the dentist.
And it's a generational thing.
And so it's not always drugs that creates it, though wedefinitely see that.
A lot of times it's just where they they fell asleep with thebottle in their mouth, and they never saw a dentist before.

(18:41):
And it's just a generational thing.
And so, you know, we look forward to being able to supply, youknow, dentures, especially to our younger folks who still really
want to get out and have a social life.
I mean, they have to be shut in.
And it's sad.

Karen Wilson: And it affects even eating. (18:56):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Yes, it does. (18:59):
undefined

Karen Wilson: And all kinds of things like that we kind of take for granted. (19:00):
undefined
You know, there's a reason that we have those teeth, and we need those.

Mandy Eller: Yeah, we've definitely seen that, too. (19:07):
undefined
Just inflamed gums from trying to eat, and people losing a lotof weight because they just can't eat food.

Karen Wilson: Yeah, that's a wonderful resource. (19:15):
undefined
I noticed one of your posts.
It was very excited that Dr.
McCracken was coming back.
And so, yes, I guess you all provide that, say, monthly, is thatright?

Mandy Eller: Yeah, We see about 10 to 12 patients a month, and right now, we're booked out almost through February. (19:30):
undefined
So but, you know, we see about 17 to 18% of our patients intotal from Warren County.
And really we see more in the dental clinic from Warren County,and even White County and DeKalb.
I mean, because there's just nothing like it around, and there'ssuch a great need for it.

Karen Wilson: Yeah, Yeah, that's a great resource. (19:53):
undefined
As I said, I mentioned Grundy County.
But you all, as you said, are providing the care.
You don't have to be a resident of Grundy County.

Mandy Eller: No, we actually can't refuse service to anyone, you know, being a 501c3. (20:03):
undefined
And so, I mean, if someone walks through the door, they're goingto receive care.
And, you know, as long as we can give it to them that day, we'lldo it.
And, you know, I want to give a special thanks too to River ParkHospital, because, you know, we can only do so much there.
We don't have the imaging.
We don't have, you know, we have an EKG, but we don't haveultrasound or, you know, anything like that and or x-ray.

(20:30):
And so we often send people to River Park, and they're so kind.
They give us unlimited x-rays, you know, in so many CT scansand, you know, all of that stuff.
And that's the only way a lot of our patients could get thatcontinuity of care.
You know, and thankfully, because we have these wonderfulphysicians who volunteer with us from these different hospitals,

(20:51):
and they have connections, we can often connect people withspecialists who need to be seen, and they will do it at reduced
or no cost.
And so it's really incredible to see how it all comes togetherand how these amazing people work together to help these people.

Karen Wilson: Yeah. Do you all do pediatric care there as well? (21:06):
undefined

Mandy Eller: We don't at the moment, yeah. (21:10):
undefined
Because our physicians can't see children under the age of 16.
But, you know, they do have a health department there.
And so, you know, we try to send them there.
We hope that they're engaging, but not at this time, we don'thave pediatric care.

Karen Wilson: Well, and as you said, most counties, all counties have a health department, and they're pretty much taken care of. (21:27):
undefined
I think a lot of times it's that, as you said, the thirties andforties, and then that older demographic that really where
they're not receiving the help they need.

Mandy Eller: Right. And children are covered under TennCare automatically, you know, until they turn 18. (21:42):
undefined
So I think that helps in that area.
But yes, the adults can be completely left out.

Karen Wilson: Yeah. And we tend to be the one, try to be the bigger person, and I can get through this. (21:51):
undefined
I can get through this, but as I've said, it's probably not thebrightest thing to think of, but sometimes we're
not all lucky enough to die.
And what I mean by when I say that is that something could beprevented that would keep you from being

(22:15):
in a vegetative state or helpless and in a nursing home andthings like that.
No one wants to linger like that.
And it would just be better to, you know, just to prevent thatfrom ever happening.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. Absolutely. (22:27):
undefined
Yes. And it's a mindset shift, you know, and education in thecommunity.
And that's part of what the community health worker is doingnow.
We created that position through a grant with the TennesseeCharitable Care Network, and hopefully we'll have it for at least
a couple of years.
But, you know, she really works on all the social determinantsof health and even helping them with like food security and

(22:52):
housing and employment and whatever they're needing at the time.
It's beyond the walls of the clinic.
So it's yeah.

Karen Wilson: Yeah, it's lots of resources being given out. (23:00):
undefined
And I love how something I have noticed in Grundy County isthere's a lot of people
that care about the people of Grundy that are, you know, fromfree legal services to just all
kinds of different resources because of lack of funds in a lotof people's areas, but they still

(23:26):
need those resources.

Mandy Eller: Yes. So, you know, when I first came in, I was looking for what foundations to approach. (23:27):
undefined
Since we were 501c3, and the Community Foundation of MiddleTennessee does not include Grundy.
And the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga does notinclude Grundy.
I think it's the only county in the state that's not included ineither, you know, in those state community foundations.

(23:49):
And so it's really interesting.
And also the Healing Trust that would normally fund someone likeus, Grundy County is cut out.
So sometimes they've really been left behind in a lot of ways.
Geographically, I understand what they're doing because it kindof looks like it's in the middle, but it sort of could fit in the
east. And so but it's kind of like a hot potato, I think,because there are so many complex issues in Grundy.

(24:13):
And, you know, it was a coal mining community.
And when the coal mines left, nothing really came back toreplace it.
You know, they have lumber and tourism.
They're really pushing tourism there now, too.
But that takes time, as we all know.

Karen Wilson: Grundy is always– it is a unique place. (24:26):
undefined
It's beautiful.
It reminds me of going to East Tennessee, but you don't have thedrive.
It's very close, all the beautiful things there.
But it's so large and spread out.
And each community is kind of its own little area.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. (24:44):
undefined

Karen Wilson: When you're talking about like Beersheba Springs, Gruetli-Laager. (24:45):
undefined
That's a pretty good little drive to go into Monteagle.

Mandy Eller: It really is. (24:52):
undefined

Karen Wilson: And even Monteagle is limited on their groceries and things like that. (24:53):
undefined
So it's very diverse.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. Yeah, because of the topography, you know, I mean, you do. (25:00):
undefined
It takes like an hour to get across the county, you know.
And because you don't have like a four lane like we do here, youknow, it's all those winding roads.
And you're right.
I mean, it is. I think it's six or seven different townships,you know, within Grundy County.
And they all have their own flavor and their own identity andtheir own pride.

(25:21):
And so I find it an incredibly interesting place.
It's really, it's really funny.
But I love Beersheba Springs, and, you know, I get to have themost beautiful commute to work every time, you know, drive
through urban college. That's normally the way that I go becauseI love going up the mountain.

Karen Wilson: Aa long as the road stays stable. (25:36):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Right. Yes. (25:38):
undefined
Yes.

Karen Wilson: They've had a few issues with the highway falling off the mountain. (25:40):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Yeah. They look like they've really reinforced it this time. (25:45):
undefined
So hopefully it'll stay.
But it is such a gorgeous drive, and it's just such a peacefulkind of place, you know.
And everybody just does their own thing.
They keep to themselves.
But yet at the same time, friends are like family, and familymeans so much there.
And so I really enjoy getting to know the people in Grundy.

Karen Wilson: It's been very fortunate, I guess, because of the beauty of the area. (26:08):
undefined
Lots of resources come in from outside of Grundy County becausepeople appreciate the beauty, and then they fall in love
with the people.

Mandy Eller: Yes, absolutely. (26:21):
undefined
I mean, it really is.
And, you know, I was concerned going into Grundy, you know,because I wasn't a native.
And, you know, a lot of times when small towns, it's hard to fitin.

Karen Wilson: Be accepted, right. (26:32):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Yeah. Yeah. But, you know, I just talked about, you know, I mean, I grew up in a small community. (26:33):
undefined
And honestly, if we go back to our bloodlines, you know, most ofus, I have Native American, Scots-Irish, you know,
bloodlines, and so do they.

Karen Wilson: They do too. (26:48):
undefined

Mandy Eller: And so, I mean, you know, my dad grew up in Irvin College. (26:49):
undefined
That's where my family is from.
And so, you know, we're really not that far removed.

Karen Wilson: Yeah. Yeah. None of us are. (26:57):
undefined
Especially if you trace back.
I love to think about accents and things like in the South.
And we all kind of come from the same Scotch-Irish a lot do anyway.
That's where we get that hard "r" and that's right.
Those great things that we, as we speak, we hear.
Without giving names, tell us, I guess, a story of someone at theclinic.

(27:20):
I'm sure there's countless stories, but is there someone thatyou can think of that this has made such a difference in their
life?

Mandy Eller: Yeah. You know, there was a woman recently who was waiting on her diabetic medication, and I was talking to her, and (27:28):
undefined
she said, "You know, my mom's alive because of this clinic." AndI said, "Really?" And she said, "Yeah." We have a mammogram bus
that comes by once or twice a year.
And she went they, you know, the people in the clinic said, "No,you need to come and do this.

(27:51):
It's free. It'll be here all day." And she did.
And, of course, they found they found a lump in her breast.
And so, but they caught it early, and the clinic stuck with herthe whole time.
And, you know, that's why they caught it.
She wouldn't have sought that care otherwise, you know.
But I've heard that a lot.
I've heard many patients saying, "I would be dead right nowwithout the clinic because, you know, they've taught me how to

(28:15):
manage my diabetes." And I can live.
I can live, you know.
Well, a lot of times they talk about how they can take care oftheir grandchildren more so than they could before.
So it's all about family there.
And that's what I hear a lot in those testimonies is they get tohave a better life with their families, you know, and they're
still able to be with their families.

Karen Wilson: Well, and diabetic medication has come so far, and they're getting exposed to new medicines that are (28:35):
undefined
really making a difference in their lives.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. They've really come a long way. (28:45):
undefined
I mean, and they're in high demand right now, too.

Karen Wilson: So I've heard. (28:50):
undefined
Lots of people wanting that ozempic or whatever it is.

Mandy Eller: Yeah, actually just for weight loss. (28:55):
undefined
Yeah.

Karen Wilson: Let's leave it for those diabetics. (28:58):
undefined
They need it.

Mandy Eller: They really do. (29:01):
undefined

Karen Wilson: Yeah. Well, I just want to say thank you, Mandy, for coming and being on the podcast and what a wonderful resource in (29:01):
undefined
our area.
And you guys are, I'm just still in awe that you all are able tooperate being a 501c3
without any government or state funding.

Mandy Eller: Yeah, it's a shoestring budget, but we do it. (29:20):
undefined
And you know, that's what I love about non-profits, though.
It's always a challenge, you know, to keep it going.
But it takes so many people to do it.
And it's just, I'm always impressed with the heart of the peopleon the board and in the community of the clinic.

Karen Wilson: Now, I noticed on the website there is a way for people to contribute. (29:38):
undefined
They can either contribute monthly or just a one-time donation.

Mandy Eller: Absolutely, Yes. Yes. (29:45):
undefined
You can go to our website BeershebaClinic.org.
And I mean, that is how we operate.
We rely on that and every bit of it goes to patient care.

Karen Wilson: Yes. Yeah. You don't have a whole lot of overhead. (29:55):
undefined

Mandy Eller: No. (29:57):
undefined

Karen Wilson: Keeping it lean and mean. (29:59):
undefined

Mandy Eller: Absolutely. (30:00):
undefined

Karen Wilson: To provide that service. (30:01):
undefined
Thank you again, Mandy, for being a part of The BLC Connectionpodcast, and we invite our listeners to tune in for future
episodes and share this content with other businesses.
Until next time, this is your BLC Connection.