Jensen Beach - Dr. Benita Thomas has found that it matters not where one resides, but the ability to overcome the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome relies more upon access to knowledge.

Metabolic Syndrome is a combination of medical disorders in the body which are a downward slide toward morbidity. Cancer and cardiovascular risk goes up for those with metabolic syndrome.

Consisting of hypertension, diabetes (type 2) and high cholesterol, the American Heart Association reports that approximately 35% of the U.S. population fits the metabolic profile.

Metabolic syndrome affects both the medically served and underserved.

Communities which are served, are those with access to primary physicians. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA) states that those which are underserved have shortages of primary care providers.

Dr. Benita Thomas, a board-certified family medicine physician, formerly with the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County, has found that it matters not where one resides, but the ability to overcome the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome relies more upon access to knowledge.

Dr. Thomas has served the underserved of St. Lucie County, Florida since 2006. She reports that approximately 40-50% of her patients have metabolic syndrome. More importantly, they get well.

BackStory: Following in the footsteps of her paternal and maternal grandfathers, Dr. Thomas determined to be a physician after returning to her parents' native India to volunteer as a college intern at the Ramabai Mukti Mission. There she shadowed a doctor who filled many specialists’ roles—OBGYN, primary care, pediatrics, and even surgery. The Ramabai Mukti Mission was created to help orphaned girls. The bare bones facility grew, becoming a clinic and surgery center. It made a positive difference in the community.

Returning to the U.S., Thomas graduated from Rutgers and completed medical school at Ross University in Dominica, West Indies. Her rotations were in England for one year, and then New York. Following this, she completed Residency in Miami at Jackson Memorial Hospital. She began working at the Camillus Health Concern in Miami.

Camillus too focused on the underserved. Dr. Thomas even helped the homeless living under the bridges in Miami where she and her nurse went to the people.

In the world of medicine, many physicians do not wish to serve the underserved. Dr. Thomas, however, has found the work invaluable, as it has taught her much.

Unable to refer the underserved to specialists, Dr. Thomas has often been the only physician available to her patients. Her medical philosophy focuses on the whole person as many factors are a part of a patient’s current health or illness. 'What is his financial situation? How about her emotional health? What is going on in the patient’s life?' Dr. Thomas attempts to get to the root of the matter, doing as much as she can herself. For example, in the past, she has uncovered depression and anxiety as the underlying conditions when heart palpitations were exhibited.

Dr. Thomas offers her own counsel on diet and exercise, joined with a prescription for Metabolic Syndrome. And she has seen her patients who have followed recommendations come off medicine.

When Dr. Thomas arrived at the Department of Health in St. Lucie County, she found that there was a need for information and more medicinal and financial assistance. She began to research. Her findings have given life-helping information to her patients.

A few of Dr. Thomas’s findings:

Medication: Few underserved patients can afford medication. Most have no insurance. Partnership for Prescription Assistance, Rx Outreach and later $4 generic programs were available to fill this gap.

Mammograms: When a lump was detected, but the patient had no money for a mammogram, Dr. Thomas contacted the Breast Health Navigator Program. This program covers the cost for the patient. It is funded by a grant, in part by the Komen Foundation and the Pink Tie Friends.

Lupus/Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A specialist is often necessary to oversee the care of a patient with these types of immune-modulated conditions. Dr. Thomas contacts the Arthritis Foundation, which sets the patient up with a rheumatologist. The visits are free if the patient qualifies.

The list continues for those who need a CT scan, insulin, and diabetic supplies.

Photo Credit:  Kelly Jadon — Photo Credit: Kelly Jadon

Dr. Benita Thomas will be joining the Martin Medical Group, a part of Martin Health System, beginning in October. Martin will be opening a new site for primary care at the Medical Pavilion at Treasure Coast Square in Jensen Beach, Florida. Dr. Thomas is excited to be a part of this opportunity. There will be an emphasis on "wellness," with links to such resources as a dietician, nurse case managers, diabetic educators, and a gym. Working as a team, these members will be of utmost help to Dr. Thomas and other primary care physicians in helping to manage metabolic syndrome in a cooperative way.

Dr. Benita Thomas is an exemplary physician. Her concern is always first for her patients. The time and knowledge she has provided them has saved lives and improved health.

Dr. Thomas resides in Jensen Beach, Florida. To contact Dr. Thomas about her research and programs, please email her at benitat@yahoo.com

HAVE A HERO TIP? Hometown Heroes are in every town and city. They are regular people who have made a positive difference in their community, impacting others for the better. Send your Hometown Hero tip to Kelly Jadon kfjadon@gmail.com or find her online at kellyjadon.com.

Why Good News Matters In 2013

In November 2013 $39 million in SNAP Benefits will be cut for all Americans. It is expected that this decrease in benefits will cause “hardship” and “food insecurity.”

As of April 2013, more than 47 million Americans are receiving Food Stamps, also known as SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP). (47,548,694 to be exact).

Compared with SNAP participation only five years ago, in 2008, which was 29 million, today’s numbers are remaining high because the job market continues to be weak.

The idea of food stamps arrived with Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace in May 1939. It ENDED in 1943 “since the conditions that brought the program into being—unmarketable food surpluses and widespread unemployment—no longer existed.”

President John F. Kennedy signed his first Executive Order, which called for expanded food distribution to fulfill a campaign promise. Since that time, the program has grown. April 1965 found 561,261 Americans on the rolls. By October 1974 the number had increased to 15 million.

After 2008, many industries in the country changed, affecting jobs. Layoffs were widespread. Although employment is up, the amount of new jobs which are part-time is 75%. In July 2013, 8.2 million Americans are in part-time employment, even though they would rather not be. Also rising are the costs of living-- food, the power bill, etc.. Part-time work will not pay all of the bills.

The key word for SNAP is “SUPPLEMENTAL.” These are not FULL benefits , but “in addition to.” The idea is that citizens are at work and purchasing the majority of their own food.

In November 2013 SNAP Benefits are expected to be cut for all. It is anticipated that this decrease in benefits will cause “hardship” and “food insecurity.” 23 million households (22 million children) in the United States will fall into these two circumstances. Approximately 10 million of the children already live in “deep poverty,” due to family income below half of the poverty line. 9 million others are disabled or elderly.

In August 2013, Chad Stone, Chief Economist, commented on the July Employment Report, “long-term unemployment remains a significant concern. Nearly two-fifths (37.0 percent) of the 11.5 million people who are unemployed — 4.2 million people — have been looking for work for 27 weeks or longer. These long-term unemployed represent 2.7 percent of the labor force.”

Carolyn L. Weaver of the Cato Institute has written about the care of the elderly and the poor prior to the Great Depression, in which it was primarily the responsibility of the private sector. Family, friends and neighbors “organized private charity.”

“There were no federal programs (other than veterans’ programs) to assist the poor, whether young or old, disabled or unemployed. The role of the government in preventing poverty through the provision of pensions and insurance was even more limited.”

As the United States transitions into more part-time employment buckled with higher costs of living, traditional methods of charity are being reestablished. One such organization which is a promising model for national use is The Bridge Christian Outreach Food Pantry located in Jensen Beach, Florida. Using extremely low overhead, local sources pool their resources to aid the needy from a two-county area. Under the non-denominational leadership of Pastor Jerry Herald, groceries are provided to over 200 poverty-stricken families. Three Fridays a month, frozen meat, fresh produce, baked goods, bread and canned products are trucked in and given out from a central location. No building is used for storage. Families arrive from surrounding towns—Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce and Jensen Beach (Martin and St. Lucie Counties).

Jerry Herald has this to say about his experience: “The face of today’s needy are many, but most are not homeless—they are marginalized. They are neighbors: men who have never been without work before but have been laid off, waitresses, part-time workers, single mothers, children, babies. These are the new poor. They are today’s widows and orphans.” Others have diseases, like cancer, and they hover on destitution’s doorstep--so ill they cannot work.

Pastor Jerry tells of a soldier, returned from Afghanistan with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He has a wife and five children. There is not enough assistance from the VA to both pay the bills and purchase food.

Jerry Herald adds, “This part of our society makes life-struggling choices daily.”

Florida, a state hard hit in the economic crisis has 3,548,465 on SNAP. After November’s SNAP cut, an estimated 3,552,000 in Florida will be affected. That is 18% of the state’s population.

In Martin County, 59% of single mothers live in poverty, 29% of the children also do, and 5% of those over age 65 as well (2009 Census).

In neighboring St. Lucie County, the poverty rate is 20.3% for all ages, but climbs to 31.7% for children under age 18. (State of Florida 2011)

BackStory: Jerry Herald and his wife Evie moved to Florida in 2006 from Michigan. Before attending Concordia University, Jerry Herald was a Scout Sniper in the Marine Corps. A veteran, he finished his military duty as a Sergeant.

A humble man, Jerry Herald balks at interviews, but granted this one as he sees that the need to help more people is growing. Yet, as the pastor of this charity, Bridge Christian Outreach, he knows the people personally and can identify their needs. His work extends beyond the pantry: for example, to the hospital—where he has been a patient advocate.

“Bridge Christian Outreach never would have begun without Evie,” he adds. “She is the voice who saw the needy in Detroit several years ago, and spoke, ‘Let’s help.’” Their experience in the now bankrupt city prepared them for their work South Florida.

Pastor Jerry Herald at the food pantry handout

Bridge Christian Outreach has been meeting the needs of the marginalized for seven years. Tested by hurricanes, heat and cold, they have shown that they are here, to stay. As of now, 12 churches in the area offer various forms of assistance to Bridge Christian Outreach, as volunteers or by giving donations of food, money or grocery store gift cards. As the economic crunch continues, needs are expected to grow. 100% of all donations go directly to assist those in need.

No longer can the government be relied upon to take care of a town or city’s needy. Indeed, Pastor Jerry adds, “It is not the government’s function. Do what you can.”

This model functions with a food pantry as a central location—and three or four outreach locations within the town or city. Hot meals may be served at the outreaches. Needs may be addressed there too. Lay people may assist in these locations as well. The entire model operates at a minimal cost using dedicated volunteers based upon the Stephens Ministries concept.

Necessities: volunteers to organize food distribution and food (food banks, donations, etc)

Needed: volunteers as delivery couples, counselors, nurses on call, a dentist who will give discounted or free dental cleanings, a storage facility, just-picked produce, vitamins, baby food, over the counter medicines, diabetic supplies, free or reduced veterinarian visits, and even money.

For others who would just like to lend a listening ear to those who need help, there is training available through Stephens Ministries. It is a nationwide program.

The Bridge Christian Outreach operates out of the parking lot next to Jensen Beach Bowl. Currently, there is great need for further help from the Treasure Coast community.

For more information, contact Pastor Jerry Herald Email rev.j.e.herald@gmail.com

The Good News: Health Care At Martin Health System 2013-2017

Why Good News Matters In 2013