A Medical Home: The Community Clinic of High Point
The mission of the Community Clinic of High Point is simple yet profoundly needed: to provide quality acute care and chronic disease management for adults aged 18-64 who reside in the Greater High Point area and lack access to government or private insurance. Simply put, it serves residents who fall in the insurance gap, making too much for Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance. Since its inception in 1993, the clinic has become a vital lifeline for the uninsured, addressing a critical gap in healthcare services and ensuring that even those without insurance have a place to call their medical home.
At the heart of the clinic's impact is its dedication to serving the most vulnerable populations. With over 2,200 active patients relying on its comprehensive services – which include primary care, medical labs, an in-house pharmacy, and more – the clinic is a cornerstone for equitable community health.
Unlike an urgent care or an emergency room, the Community Clinic offers a stable medical environment where patients can see a primary care provider or specialist on a routine basis.
"We can develop those relationships with patients… and they have a place to call their medical home," says Molly Jordan, Executive Director of the Community Clinic. This personalized approach not only fosters trust but also ensures continuity of care, which is essential for managing chronic conditions and preventing health crises.
One of the most significant milestones for the Community Clinic of High Point in the last year was the move to a new facility in December 2023. This expansion, driven by the growing needs of the community, has dramatically enhanced the clinic's capacity to serve its patients. The new space increased the clinic’s exam room count from six to 10, and also provides space for minor surgical procedures and dental services to be performed. Thanks to partnerships with retired surgeons, dentists, and High Point University’s dental school, the new service offerings will help meet even more health needs in High Point.
Those wouldn’t have been possible at our previous location," says Jordan. Previously, if the clinic needed to bring in a specialist for an appointment, they would have to cut down on the primary care visits for that day, due to space constraints. Now, the clinic is able to increase its primary care visits as well, with plenty of room for specialty procedures.
The new facility also serves as an educational hub, offering programs that extend beyond healthcare. Patients can access resources for financial literacy, mental health support, and even address social determinants of health, such as food security. The clinic staff is working on the potential for a food pantry for its patients.
"The possibilities are endless for what we can do to support our patients," Jordan explains. She underscores the importance of addressing the holistic needs of patients, pointing out that exceptional healthcare can be undermined if patients face non-medical challenges, such as homelessness, lack of reliable electricity, or food insecurity.
“We can provide exceptional healthcare,” Jordan says, “but if we send the patient home to a tent under a bridge or we send them to an empty pantry or a home with no electricity so they can’t keep their insulin safe, then no matter how good our healthcare is, those mitigating factors undermine their care and their ability to heal, recover, and stabilize.”
The clinic's pharmacy dispensed approximately 34,000 prescription medications last year – all at no cost to their clients. It’s a testament to its critical role in the community. The financial impact of the clinic is equally significant. An average visit to the clinic costs around $105, compared to an estimated $1,400 for an emergency room visit.
“The support of the Congdon Family Foundation has allowed CCHP to improve our facility, increase access to care, and add new services for patients. Without a doubt, the Foundation has made the Community Clinic, our patients, and our community, stronger and better,” says Jordan.
When it comes to meeting critical community needs in High Point, few needs are as critical as the health and safety of our individual community members. The Congdon Family Foundation’s grants to support the Clinic’s capital expansion and on-going operational costs ensure that all in our city have the medical home they need to receive the care they deserve.
Read more about Community Needs Grantees
"All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God."
Deuteronomy 16:17
"When you’re helped out,
it inspires you to help others."
EMILY CAROTHERS, Earl and Kitty Congdon Old Dominion Freight Line Scholarship Recipient
"Compassion is taking action. It’s not being satisfied with the status quo."
Carl Vierling, Greater High Point Food Alliance
Executive Director
"We’re creating our own ecosystem that is poised to turn our home into the “high point” of our state once more."
Rachel Collins, Business High Point
CEO
"Our board is deeply involved in High Point. Their commitment to the city is evident in their desire for the foundation to form real partnerships with our grant recipients, so that we can support them to grow their impact."
Rev. Dr. Joe Blosser,
Chief Impact Officer