THE HISTORY OF SAMARITAN HEALTH MINISTRIES:

Originally incorporated in 1990 as Hill Country Medical Ministries, volunteer physicians recognized the need for healthcare to be accessible to all. These compassionate providers cared for our uninsured neighbors for eight years before revitalizing the organization and changing the name to Samaritan Health Ministries (this helped to alleviate confusion with our dear friends at Hill Country Community Ministries). Samaritan Health Ministries (SHM) has successfully been providing quality healthcare to Greater Williamson and Northwest Travis county areas since 1999. From 1999 through the present, we have had in excess of 10,500 clinical visits! With the help of many, many generous donations from individuals, community organizations and businesses, churches, and foundations, we are still growing strong and adding to our own personal history.

POPULATION SERVED:

SHM serves the uninsured, who are mainly low-income working families who have made us their medical home. The target area for service is the Cedar Park, Jonestown, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lago Vista, and Round Rock area.

HOW WE HELP:

Our acute care evening service is “walk in” to allow treatment of non-emergency, ill individuals. We also evaluate our dental patients medically prior to their appointments. Our chronic care Wednesdays, mental health services and dental care are by appointment only. A medication service is provided for those times when medical and mental health care is provided. On average, our patients receive upwards of three different prescriptions per visit. Our chronic care patients may receive upwards of five prescriptions per visit. This can yield an average of 60 prescription refills per patient per year (at a cost per patient of approximately $7200 if medications are purchased retail). Use of drug samples and the Patient Assistance Program (PAP) has helped provide these necessary medications to our clients. In providing these services to those most in need, SHM bolsters the health and protects the economic interests of all citizens in our community. [Our cost is roughly 1/4 of the cost of a trip to the Emergency Room, which without clinics such as SHM, would be the only option for the population served!]

*SHM is unique in being essentially all volunteer and in focusing on the uninsured. We are also one of only two clinics that provide dental services. We truly are a home for hope, health, and healing!

SHM provides services through a dedicated group of volunteer health care professionals, administrative staff, and board of directors, with the support of several paid staff.