Fall 2016

“It was as if a light finally went on,”said Darla with tears in her eyes.“I finally understood it. Pamexplained it to me, and after alifetime of suffering, I finallyunderstood it.”

Darla’s medical history is complexand complicated. She had seendoctor after doctor her entire life,but no one had been able to putthe pieces together. Repeatedlymisdiagnosed and inappropriatelytreated, Darla found her lifediminished by the sudden andinexplicable attacks that left herunable to breathe. She knew shehad food allergies, but that didn’texplain the paralyzing severity ofher problems. Often she wasunable to work. She could rarelygo into public places. “I’m a mother,a wife, a hair dresser. I own my ownbusiness. I knew something had tochange,” Darla said.

Something did change when Darlafound Bethesda Health Clinic. Afterbeing seen by Bethesda’s doctors

she was referred to two specialistsand underwent test after test. Whenshe came back to Bethesda for theresults, Dr. English said to her, “Let’stalk about your asthma.” “I NEVERknew I was asthmatic!” said Darla.“Then he said, ‘Let’s talk about yourdiabetes.’ WHAT? No one had evertold me I was diabetic either!”

Dr. English had Darla meet withPam Van Meter, Bethesda’s Wellnessand Nutrition Director. “That’s whenthe light finally went on,” said Darla.“I could connect all the dots. Myallergies were causing the asthma.Being overweight was contributingto my diabetes. I UNDERSTOOD!”Pam helped Darla with a diet anda system for checking her bloodsugar and taught her to read productlabels, searching for even the tiniesthint of ingredients that could triggerher allergies. Armed with her newknowledge, Darla was off and running,watching her diet, keeping a chartand checking her blood sugar. Withinjust a few weeks, her weight droppeddramatically, as did her blood

LIGHTTHE OF UNDERSTANDINGLight comes in many forms at Bethesda.

It was as if a light finallywent on.

Continued on page 2.

“ ”

pressure. She has not had an asthmaattack in months and she has been ableto stop taking her blood pressure andsleeping medicines. She has also beenable to cut her diabetes medicine by athird. Darla is hopeful that she cangradually get off all the medicines shehas been prescribed.

Pam is quick to praise Darla’s efforts.“She can now participate in her health.Darla has the power to change her life,and she is using it.”

Darla’s praise for Pam and everyone atBethesda is reciprocal. “How I wish I hadmet someone like Pam years ago,” sheasserts. “Bethesda has been a Godsendto me. Everyone takes the time to listen,and they listen deeply. They genuinelycare about me, and I’m not a number.I wish I could come here every day!”

Light comes in many forms at Bethesda.In our work, in this place, we openlyacknowledge that Christ is the Lightwithin us, leading us in the way we oughtto go. When His light shines through thepeople of Bethesda, it bathes our workand the lives of our patients with His love.The light of that love became the light ofunderstanding for Darla, a light that isleading her to a new life, out of thedarkness of illness and into a new lifeof health and wellness.

Thanks be to the One who is thelight of the world.

Continued from front cover.

Growth. Change.Consider this:

■ By the end of the summer of 2016, Bethesda had already served asmany new patients as we did in the entire year over the past five years

■ In each month of 2016, an average of 950 medical patientvisits occurred

■ When the dental clinic was staffed with volunteers, it averaged350 dental visits a year. Now that we have our own dental staff,the clinic averages 375 visits each month.

At Bethesda Health Clinic, growth and change seem to be theconstants of our ministry.

Each year brings new challenges and opportunities, and while we arealways focused on meeting current needs, we must also keep an eyeon the future and the growth and change that will inevitably occur.

One thing that has not changed is Bethesda’s need for your support.Though much has changed in the health care environment, thestatistics above make it clear that the number of people in ourcommunity who are either uninsured or underinsured has continuedto grow, and most likely will continue to do so.

In this newsletter you will read about two important efforts to fundBethesda’s ministry, both now and in the future. Hangers of Hope,Bethesda’s thrift store, will expand to a bigger location to help fundour current need for expanded services. Planned gifts through willsand estates will fund future challenges we can only begin to imagine.Both depend, as does everything we do at Bethesda, on your faith,prayer and generosity.

Your support makes growth and change happen at Bethesda and inthe lives of those we serve. We are grateful for your support today andfor sharing our vision for the future.

A NOTEFROM JOHN

In the fall of 2013, Bethesda Health Clinic openedHangers of Hope, which was designed to diversifythe funding mix that supports Bethesda’s missionof providing high-quality care for low-incomeworking adults in our community.

In just three short years, the support and donationsfrom the community have been so generous, thatHangers of Hope has outgrown its current locationand is moving to a larger facility on the South Loop.

All proceeds of the thrift store go back to the clinicand provide the additional resources needed togreatly expand Bethesda’s services.

As with everything else at Bethesda, Hangers of Hopeis mission-connected and big -picture focused.“This move into a larger facility isn’t really aboutgrowing a thrift store business. It is all about thepossibilities that lay ahead for making an even greaterimpact on those among us who need it most. And we

feel blessed to be in community that has made thisfuture possible.” said John English, M.D., Bethesda’sMedical and Executive Director.

“With such a supportive and caring community,we are hopeful that the larger facility will provide thefinancial resources for us to broaden and increasehow we can serve those in need,” said Dr. English.“And we pray that God continues to bless thisendeavor as He has so many other programs andprojects of the clinic.”

When you shop or donate your unwanted items, youhelp us continue to make possible the exceptionalmedical care, support and guidance for those inneed that is the hallmark of Bethesda Health Clinic.

We appreciate donations of clothing, householdgoods, furniture, small appliances, books, toys,and holiday decorations.

HANGERS OF HOPEA THRIFT STORE ON A MISSION

Opening before the end of the year 2016. Located on the South Loop next to Chuck-e-Cheese.

BIRTHDAY BASH

Laura O'Halloran, Shanna Meads

Sasha Vukelja, LaVerne Gollob, Derrith Bondurant, Teresa Butcher

Kellie Ronan, Sandy King

Molly & Lane Brunner, Marilyn Abegg Glass

Julie Nichols, Darla Bennett, David Nichols

Linda Sellers, Kristi Boyett, Jennifer Pittman, Sherri & Mark Whatley

BIRTHDAY BASH

David Krafve, Anna Pierce

Sam Greenberg, Sal Landeros, Connie Greenberg

Larry & Kat Stokes

Nathan Atkinson, Sunni Boren, Clint & Stephanie Carter

Anniken McNeil, Ellisiv Lien, Isabella McNeil

Lane Brunner, Doug Clark, Gillian Sheridan, Clint Carter, Derrith Bondurant, Sal Landeros,Laura O’Halloran, Mark Whatley, Ellisiv Lien, Anniken & Bella McNeil

Thank You to our2016 Celebrity Cake Decorators

Since the inception ofBethesda Health Clinic,our commitment has beento care for the whole person.

We recognize that a balanced, healthy life takes intoconsideration what is going on medically, and whatis happening in our lives socially, emotionally, andcertainly spiritually. Our commitment is to addresseach of these dimensions in the lives of our patients.From the beginning, the commitment of Bethesdahas also been to structure the programs and servicesoffered by the clinic in the most organized andresponsible way possible, always working to havethe resources necessary to provide the highestquality care in the most fiscally responsible way.

If Bethesda is to continue its ministry of care for thewhole person in the decades to come, now is the timeto take action. As Bethesda enters its second decadeof service, we are uniquely positioned to look to thefuture and the stability of this important ministry.

To that end, the Board of Directors of Bethesda HealthClinic has made the commitment to begin to build theresources of Bethesda’s endowment fund.

Think of the endowment fund as Bethesda’s savingsaccount. Each year, Bethesda raises money and putsthat money to work in the lives of those who turn to theclinic for help every day. Resources come in to helppeople. Resources go out and lives are changed. Thathas been the pattern of our ministry for more than adecade. Now the time has come to begin to secure thesolid financial resources to insure that Bethesda will be

here to provide our unique focus on care for the wholeperson for decades to come.

Bethesda has a firm foundation on which to build thatsuccessful future. Our ministry is mission- focused,grounded in faithful core values and commitments. Ourfunding base is broad and deep, our leadership respectedand visionary, and our reputation for excellence andintegrity has few peers in the nonprofit community.

Nonetheless, the future is sure to bring challenges toany nonprofit ministry, especially one in the health carefield. That the need for affordable health care for theunderserved populations will continue to grow is acertainty; that traditional funding sources for that carewill increase is unlikely. This is why we must begin towork now to grow Bethesda’s savings.

We know that you, our donors, have a deep devotion toour mission and that you trust the leadership of the clinicto be responsible stewards of your gifts. We also knowthat you care about the future of the clinic, and that it isimportant to you that what we have built together willremain strong and continue to serve our neighbors.

We ask that you prayerfully consider a way that you cangive to the future of Bethesda, just as you give every yearto the work we do on a day to day basis. There are manyways to give to the future… a bequest in your estateplans, naming Bethesda as a beneficiary of your IRA orinsurance plan, etc. Your professional advisor will helpyou find the vehicle that is best for you, your family andfor Bethesda.

We must provide today for Bethesda to serve in the future.

Won’t you join us?

FUTUREGIVING TO THE

There are many ways to give to thefuture of Bethesda Health Clinic,and gifts of all sizes are welcome.

You may designate your gift for general purposes orfor a specific area of the Clinic’s work. You may makeyour gift all at once or you may pledge it over time.You may make an outright gift today using almost anytype of asset, or you can make a gift later through abequest or other planned gift.

Just as Bethesda is committed to caring for the wholeperson, giving to the future of Bethesda can be donegenerally or specifically. In addition to Bethesda’sGeneral Endowment which will help the Clinic in thebroadest sense, specific endowment funds will impactareas of focus within the clinic’s mission.

Bethesda General EndowmentAnnual distributions from the Bethesda GeneralEndowment will be used for the area of greatest need,as determined by the Bethesda Board of Directors.

Medical Care Endowment FundThe medical care endowment fund will be used tosupport and enhance the exceptional medical careprovided by Bethesda Health Clinic, allowing theClinic to continue to provide a primary healthcarehome for thousands of patients each year.

Dental Care Endowment FundRecognizing that dental health significantly impactsoverall health, services of Bethesda’s dental clinicalso impact a patient’s self esteem and mental health.Distributions from the Dental Care Endowment Fund

will support and enhance this important component ofBethesda’s mission.

Social Support EndowmentThe Social Support Endowment will help the Clinicaddress other life stressors (family issues, financialconcerns) that affect patients’ progress toward wellness.

Wellness Education EndowmentA key component of Bethesda’s mission has alwaysbeen a focus on the ongoing management of andprevention of chronic disease. This important work willbe supported by the Wellness Education Endowment.

Named EndowmentsWith gifts of $25,000 or more a donor may “name”an endowment within one of the funds describedabove. This privilege creates the opportunity to honoror remember a relative, friend or even a special medicalprovider. For instance, “The Dr. Joe Smith WellnessEducation Endowment” could be a part of the largerWellness Education Endowment, and a way topermanently honor Dr. Joe Smith.

Whatever your preference for giving to the future ofBethesda, we welcome your gifts and are grateful thatyou share our commitment to the highest quality carefor the whole person, now and for decades to come.We encourage you and your professional advisor towork with Bethesda’s development staff to ensure thatyour gift is structured just as you want it to be and thatit will accomplish your goals over time.

Please contact Diane Thomason at 903.596.8353Ext. 106 for more information.

BETHESDAOF

409 W. FergusonTyler, TX 75702

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDTyler, Texas

Permit No. 14

To learn more aboutthese events orBethesda Health Clinic,contact us at:409 W. FergusonTyler, TX 75702903.596.8353www.bethesdaclinic.org

Board of DirectorsRich KnarrPresidentSue SaxenmeyerSecretaryRamsey StarksTreasurer

Michelle BrookshireVerna HallBarry JonesFritter McNallyJohn MerrillDavid Nichols, D.D.S.Mike RostisRebecca SandersH. Don Smith, M.D.Larry StokesCharles Stone, D.D.S.Todd TuttJoseph Woelkers

Todd Raabe, M.D.Board Emeritus

Rev. Pat MalloryBoard Emeritus

John English, M.D.CEO / Medical Director

Advisory CouncilKen DanceChair

Maxey Abernathy, M.D.Harold BeairdBen Bridges, M.D.Jerry CaddyTracy CrawfordSam Houston, M.D.Tom Lowery, M.D.John MintonMac MoseleyRon Pinkenburg, M.D.Rev. Paul PowellJohn SoulesWilliam Starling, M.D.Pat Thomas, M.D.Pike Wisner

Publication BoardManaging EditorsKrystle HazelDiane Thomason

Graphic DesignAutry Design

PhotographyFrancie Batten HodgesDon Bristow

Thank You