Long-Time Clinic volunteer wins State award – shares his philosophy of volunteerism
Being a devoted volunteer at the People’s Health Clinic for the past six years garnered John Houchins MD, a County Silver Bowl Award at the 2011 Lt. Governor’s Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet. The annual banquet celebrates the extraordinary efforts of volunteers statewide. Dr. Houchins’ award represents the Summit County area.
Dr. Houchins firmly believes that every health care professional should feel called to truly serve, which to him is defined as “providing care without financial compensation”. Volunteering at the People’s Health Clinic also provides a vehicle for his students “to learn, not just about the practice of medicine, but also about the concept of service.” He feels showing by example is the best way to impart this underlying principle to the young medical professionals he directs in the Utah Physician’s Assistant Program.
“A common discovery our volunteers make is the wonderful truth that the very best gifts we are given, become so only after we share them. We at PHC hope that our expanded patient capacity will be served by local medical professionals: physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, etc….who are eager to find this truth for themselves.”
Executive Director Nann Worel congratulated Dr. Houchins for his award and had nothing but praise for his efforts. “The patients and staff of the People’s Health Clinic are extremely grateful for all that Dr. Houchins has done to improve access to healthcare for the uninsured in our community. Over the past five years, Dr. Houchins has generously given his time and countless patients have received compassionate, high quality care. We wouldn’t be where we are today without Dr. Houchins and our other medical providers,” Worel said.
Dr. Houchins is currently a clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Preventative Medicine (DFPM) at the U and is medical director of the Utah Physician Assistant Program (UPAP). After years of weekly trips up the canyon after work each Thursday night, Dr. Houchins now comes up once a month, to see patients and supervise students at the Thursday clinics.
John Hanrahan MD, one of the Clinic’s founders, is happy to be back as a staff physician.
“The care we can provide in this amazing facility is wonderful to be a part of. And our growing relationship with IHC, which allows us to help patients beyond our walls with tests and specialist visits, has had an enormous impact.”
Dr. Hanrahan was active for many years at the Clinic as Volunteer Medical Director, Volunteer Executive Director, and Board member. After several years’ hiatus, John rejoined the Board of Directors in 2007 where he has served until he recently joined the Clinic staff. John is enjoying his reacquaintance with the Clinic side of PHC. Though the Clinic counts on thousands of hours of volunteer help each year, maintaining a small medical and support medical staff is crucial. With one or two staff physicians or nurse midwives, and the Clinic Coordinator, always in attendance, patients can count on consistent practices and a physician who knows their case. It’s what we all hope for in our medical care!
Clinic Coordinator Mariely Ferrer consulting with Dr. Charles Bova
“The patients’ appreciation is all the reward I need, but it’s not all that I receive.” – Dr. Charles Bova
“It’s a privilege to be able to volunteer in your own backyard . . . not on the reservation or overseas – and know you are helping people who need medical care. The dedicated staff at PHC makes it a pleasure to be here. Since I began volunteering my services as a doctor, when the Clinic was located at The Yard, I have seen the transition the staff has made to this modern facility, and the Clinic has grown beautifully here.”
“The patients’ appreciation is all the reward I need, though I must say I learn a lot from the other physicians. Here I see patients for whatever need they have – and sometimes it’s outside my specialty of spine and sports medicine. Consulting with other physicians makes my practice here very dynamic.”
“In addition to my time, my wife, Jan Watts and I donate to the Clinic’s operating fund each year. We do so in honor of our parents who made so many opportunities available to us. And we are grateful to the founders who had the foresight to provide healthcare for the uninsured in the Park City area, where most people would not think there is such a need.”
Dr. Charles Bova is a semi-retired physician and is board-certified in Emergency Medicine, Pain Medicine, and Sports Medicine. Jan Watts is a physical therapist, athletic trainer and MAT specialist at the Park City Medical Center.
Practitioners from many specialties find a welcome at this Clinic.
PHC medical providers welcome each new specialty volunteer provider – it opens up more clinical options and cost effective treatments for their patients. Krista Clark is a great example: she has been treating Clinic patients 2 – 4 evenings a month since 2008.
She’s glad for the opportunity to volunteer and share her skills. “Proper and swift treatment after an injury can make all the difference in a person’s livelihood. I recently saw a woman, a self-employed housekeeper, who had fallen off a stool while cleaning a mirror. While she badly injured her shoulder, three treatments made her pain and strength improve so she was able to continue working and supporting her family.”
Krista owns Wellspring Physical Therapy in Midway. She encourages other practitioners to join PHC’s volunteer corps.
In the late 1980s or early ’90s Jan Watts put me thru a therapy program at TOSH that rid me of back pain that I had suffered for more than 30 years. I recently told this to a therapist, Pam Stenhouse, at Carolinas Health group here in Charlotte, NC.
Pam may want to contact Jan; if she does I am the source of the contact.
My eternal gratitude to Jan for her fine therapy – I am still pain free in my back. I do her exercises nearly every morning.
Warmest regards,
David A. Smith, formerly Consulting Geophysicist, Cottonwood Heights, SLC, now Ch. Geophysicist, Zapata Incorporated, Charlotte, NC.