Little Flower Clinic moving to Berryville

One of the first free clinics in the state is moving into this building on U.S. Hwy. 62 in Berryville, next to St. Anne's Catholic Church. Two of the clinic's long-time volunteers, retired registered nurses Kathleen Clark and Kathleen Sigler, have been assisting patients at Little Flower Clinic near the Kings River Bridge. The clinic will be reopening Aug. 3 in their new location under the name "Mission Clinic." Anna Mathews / CCN

Those doors will soon become much more accessible once a move into the heart of Berryville is complete.

Along with the move comes the name change -- from Little Flower to Mission Clinic.

"We're very excited, very thrilled," said Kathleen Clark, one of three retired registered nurses who volunteer at the free clinic. "It's a dream come true!"

Fellow nurse Kathleen Sigler agreed.

"I'm extremely excited," she said. "We'll be able to update our technology and improve our services -- and we won't have to haul water!"

The Little Flower Clinic was one of the first free clinics in Arkansas, tucked away at the edge of the old Kings River Bridge in a storefront that was once used by Little Portion Monastery to sell its fruit and bread.

There, the two Kathleens and other volunteers worked tirelessly far from the limelight to fulfill their mission of assisting the poor and uninsured by providing medical care to an average of 40 clients a month.

They coped with water and electrical issues for many years at the old building, along with constant flooding from the hillside behind.

Despite its shortcomings, Sigler said she was grateful for the building that was provided by their first benefactor, Little Portion Monastery.

She said it will be a little sad leaving, but the new location offers so many possibilities.

Situated next door to St. Anne's Catholic Church at the corner of U.S. Hwy. 62 and Circle Drive at the east end of Berryville, she said the 1,056 square-foot building is wheelchair accessible, has ample parking options, expansion opportunities, and it has city utilities, including running water fit for consumption.

"We had an anonymous donor give us $40,000 to use as a down payment on the building," she said. "We have a $35,000 debt to retire."

That debt, she said, means they need to step up their fundraising efforts. They are supported, in part, by St. Anne's and Rock Springs Baptist, and they have eight pledge partners.

A grant from the Carroll County Community Foundation enabled them to buy an EKG machine that is about the size of a cell phone and $1,100 from Wayne and Janet Clark paid for two laptop computers. They've received donations from a Chocolate Lover's fundraiser, the Polo 4-H Club, and from an employee fundraiser at the First National Bank of Berryville.

"We need more," said Sigler. "We've operated on $5,000 to $6,000 a year since opening. The building was loaned by the monastery. We used our operating money for utilities and some medications and incidentals.

"Now our budget is going up $1,400 a month with the mortgage, insurance and taxes, and we are moving toward modernization of our care with electronic medical records.

"People can pledge a small amount each month by check or direct deposit. Pledges are so important," she said. "When you are writing grants you must show community support."

Besides volunteering her time as a registered nurse, soliciting pledges, or securing free medications for her patients, Sigler wears many other hats, including that of grant writer and creator of the clinic's own nonprofit status.

Sigler said her son, the lawyer, was dubious she could undertake the task, but she did, and filed the clinic's 501(c)(3) paperwork so that Mission Clinic could exist on its own as a nonprofit charity.

It is governed by a board of directors that includes Medical Director Dr. Kevin Richter, President Scott Jackson, Secretary Laura Hudgins, Mike Fitzpatrick, Mary Ellen Atchley, and Sigler, who is board treasurer.

Clinics are held at 5:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of each month with doctors Kevin Richter and Dan Jones volunteering their time to see patients.

Sigler said she and nurse Clark are there to help, along with Virginia Benefiel, a retired registered nurse who has volunteered since the clinic's inception. Caroline Shepler, from Little Portion Monastery, serves as office manager and receptionist.

Sigler said the clinic is also open from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Fridays when the nursing staff welcomes new clients, provides individual counseling, and helps with disability and prescription assistance paperwork.

"All pharmacies will give away free drugs," Sigler said. "The paperwork should be simple, but it's complex and they keep changing the rules, so we are here to help."

And help they do -- extending assistance to anyone who walks through the door. There is no screening process and no proof of income required.

"Someone has to take care of the leftovers," said Clark, "those who fall through the cracks. We see all kinds, from all walks of life."

She said even the employed, or those with insurance who are over the limit, come to them for assistance.

"No one is turned away," confirmed Sigler, who said their service is based on their mission statement.

"Our focus is on individual growth while giving people the support that they need," she said. "That support may be provided in medicine, nursing, teaching, counseling, spiritual guidance, material goods, or social services."

She said the clinic has no "means test" because poverty may exist in many forms other than a lack of money.

Although walk-ins are welcome at the Tuesday evening clinics, she encourages new clients to call or come by on Friday afternoons to register for clinic night.

That way, she explained, they can prepare a medical history with a list of their current medications ahead of time. Plus, those applying for free medications from drug companies will need to show proof of need.

Anyone wanting more information about the Mission Clinic can call (870) 423-5363, email them at ifclinic@hotmail.com, or visit themissionclinic.blogspot.com.

Those wanting to donate their time, expertise, money or services are also encouraged to contact them. Needed immediately is a guidance counselor, a shed for storage, and a computer expert to network their system.

Even though they are a free clinic, Sigler said they follow all confidentiality guidelines and practice "the highest level of professionalism" while dispensing love and affection for all.

"We have a thankful clientele," noted Clark. "That lifts us up and makes it all worthwhile."