Preventive doctor visits are offered to the uninsured and underinsured with fees on a sliding scale based on income.
By TERRI D. REEVES
Published August 10, 2004
TARPON SPRINGS - Dr. BouaSy Huneycutt came to this country in 1976, when she was 6. She and her family were Laotian refugees from the Vietnam War.
The Ly family settled in Albemarle, N.C., and BouaSy dreamed of becoming a big-name clothing designer.
But it was her exposure to poverty early in life that would set her on a different career path.
She became a doctor, an internist and pediatrician, because she wanted to help others, especially the disadvantaged.
"I came from a family of need," the 34-year-old resident of St. Petersburg said. "Others in the community sponsored and helped us, and now it is my turn to give back."
A Florida resident for six years, she is fast becoming a part of the Tarpon Springs community as the physician for a new primary care health clinic, Community Health Centers at Tarpon Springs, which opened June 22.
On Monday, officials marked the opening of the clinic with an open house. At the event, the clinic recognized U.S. Rep. Michael Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs, who secured nearly $2-million in federal funding for the center. The congressman's son, state Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, helped win state approval for the project and ensure its placement in Tarpon Springs.
Located within the doors of the Pinellas County Health Department Tarpon Springs Center, at 301 S Disston Ave., the clinic serves the uninsured and underinsured - those with large deductibles or plans that only cover catastrophic illness or injury.
Services include well-care visits, immunizations, health screenings, and treatments for minor illnesses.
Patients pay for services on a sliding scale based on income.
"We found that many haven't received any type of health care for two to three years," said Okey Ryan, interim director for Community Health Centers of Pinellas, a nonprofit, federally funded health care organization. "They tend to go from acute incident to acute incident."
Until now, the needy usually were referred to other parts of the county to receive the services of a doctor. That can be a problem when there are transportation issues as well.
Veronica Hubbard, Ryan's assistant, said about 3,200 new patients are anticipated to arrive at the Tarpon Springs clinic within its first year of operation.
It will be the sixth clinic in the county to open under the auspices of the Community Health Centers of Pinellas.
The first, largest and most well-known is the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center in St. Petersburg.
Others are the Mother and Child Care of Clearwater, Community Health Centers at Womancare in St. Petersburg, and the Community Health Centers at Pinellas Park. Recently the Community Health Centers at Largo opened, and there will soon be a Community Health Center at Clearwater.
The Largo and Tarpon Springs clinics are a three-way partnership between the Pinellas County Commission, the county health department and the Community Health Centers of Pinellas. The county is chipping in a total of $1-million for the Tarpon Springs and Largo clinics. The health department is providing the facilities; Community Health Centers of Pinellas is providing the medical services.
The Tarpon Springs clinic now only serves adults 19 to 64.
"We plan to expand to a full-service clinic, which will include children and possibly dental," said Stephanie Mitchell-Madden, outreach liaison for Community Health Centers of Pinellas.
The clinic has a reception area, two examining rooms and two offices. The reception office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Dr. Huneycutt sees patients Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to noon. Eventually those hours will be expanded.
Most patients come from Tarpon Springs and the Holiday area, she said. Many are St. Petersburg College students.
As part of their visit, they may receive laboratory services, low-cost prescriptions, radiological services or referrals to a specialist.
Officials predict the clinic will see about 20 patients a day.
"This is an area of great need, and we are excited to be offering these services," said Adah Camacho, managing director for the Community Health Centers at Tarpon Springs and Largo.
IF YOU GO
The Community Health Centers at Tarpon Springs is inside the Pinellas County Health Department, 301 S Disston Ave. The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The doctor is in Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to noon. Patients must be registered and have an appointment to see the doctor. There is a $25 registration fee, and patients need to provide a photo identification card as well as a recent pay stub or letter of support. Doctor visits are by appointment only. Call (727) 944-3828.
