Leaving the private practice of medicine was difficult decision for me like it is for many physicians. Even as I stepped away from a practice that I loved and enjoyed, I knew my journey as a physician was not finished. A new vision and calling tugged at my heart as I felt drawn to the medically underserved. Traveling to foreign countries on medical mission trips leaves me recharged and restored by the simple act of giving; in these environments, one utilizes their medical expertise with hands, minds and hearts untethered by the constraints placed on physicians in our own American medical practices. The gratitude of the individuals served in those destitute communities fills one’s heart to overflowing. The simple balm of heart-felt gratitude often heals the wounds of physicians whose journey has been marked by deep personal sacrifice largely unrecognized by his own.
Currently, an opportunity not unlike what I have experienced in the foreign mission field is evolving here in Lubbock, Texas. Lubbock Impact is a faith-based nonprofit that has been serving the Lubbock community since 2007. The mission is to empower the working poor and homeless by providing enrichment programs and resources to meet physical, spiritual and emotional needs. This provides hope and tools to break generational poverty and build a stronger future.
Lubbock Impact has hosted The Free Clinic for the last 15 years. It is run by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center faculty and medical students and is held on Wednesday evenings. The vision of the Lubbock Impact leadership is to build on The Free Clinic Wednesday clinic to offer free multi-day medical clinic hours for individuals who do not have medical coverage of any kind and who are unable to pay. A recent grant administered through ECHO West Texas is now making this dream a reality. The previous clinic space is being remodeled into a state-of-the-art facility for the medically underserved here in our own community. Can you imagine the impact this will have on individuals without a medical home, those who are lost to follow up after hospital discharge, and those with poorly managed chronic diseases? There is no end to the possibilities. We will literally raise the standard of medical care for this population as we assess, treat and educate. The only thing we are lacking is you!
As a current board member of Lubbock Impact, it would be my privilege to share more about our new clinic which is projected to open in August 2025. My request is that each of you consider what your contribution might be. We need physicians who are willing to commit to 4-8 hours of time each month to see patients. The Texas Medical Board even has a practice provision for retired physicians who want to do voluntary charity care. General medical care will take priority with the eventual evolution of chronic disease and specialty management clinics.
Imagine the collection of knowledge from the decades of medical practice in our physician community. Together we can make a difference in the lives of this high-risk population. Importantly, this could be an opportunity to feed your soul by restoring your calling in medicine. Serving and giving as a physician volunteer is an opportunity to redefine success beyond status or income. Perhaps physician success is better defined as passionately and effectively practicing the art of medicine. I look forward to hearing from you and serving with you.
Suzanne Beck, M.D.