As we approach the hottest days of summer, it’s easy to forget about the hurting and homeless. However, the need is still great! This month I’d like to share about some of the incredible people who manage and are involved with our Medical Clinic.

While we have four wonderful nurses on staff to take care of our guests’ day-to-day needs and case management, the Medical Clinic couldn’t run without our faithful volunteer doctors and medical students.

One of those faithful volunteers is Dr. Albert Knouse, M.D., a board-certified physician and member of Newport Family Practice since 1995. He first started volunteering with Bethesda when he and his wife brought their kids to volunteer on the Mobile Mission. Around 2012 he started volunteering in the Medical Clinic and has been coming once a month since then.

“I have a heart for people in recovery and those who have been down and broken—that’s why we originally got involved to show God’s love,” Dr. Knouse said.

Dr. Knouse said that while he may be seeing a guest for a work physical or medication refill, he believes he is giving them hope—something we are passionate about at Bethesda Mission!

You may remember Robert R., a Men’s Mission guest whose story was in the April newsletter. Robert is one of the many guests that has benefitted from Medical Clinic services. “They have helped me extensively with getting set up with the right doctors to ensure I get the optimal care for my health needs,” Robert said.

After Robert received the medical care he needed, he was ready for spiritual care. “I have more peace in my life now and have a strong sense of hope knowing my life and everything about it is in His hands. It’s wonderful to know we have a God who loves us and people who really care for you,” Robert said.

I asked Dr. Knouse to share a story of a guest that left an impression on him. He told me about a patient that had ended up in Harrisburg and at Bethesda because he got on a random train while he was drunk. Someone gave the man a coat because it was wintertime, and he didn’t have one. When the man got clean and gave his life to Christ, he wanted to go back and thank the man who had given him the coat.

Dr. Knouse has been humbled through his time volunteering at the Mission. It has helped to solidify peoples’ humanity and remind him that we all need God’s grace. “I’m a small piece coming alongside the people who do it everyday,” he said.

While Dr. Knouse is part of an independent family practice, many of our medical volunteers come from our partnership with Penn State Health. Every Tuesday evening, we have an internal medicine Clinic staffed by attending physicians, residents and 3rd year Penn State medical students. We also have dermatology clinic through Penn State.

In addition, Lion Care specialty clinics are run by 1st and 2nd year medical students under the supervision of attending physicians and are as follows: neurology, pulmonology, cardiology, psychiatry, orthopedic, women’s health, osteopathic manipulation therapy, ophthalmology, and general.

We have a valuable partnership with Lion Care and Penn State. It is a quid pro quo relationship—we provide the facility and RNs to schedule patients and follow up, and Lion Care provides the medication, supplies, and medical coverage.

“Your dollars help to heal and show God’s love,” Dr. Knouse would like to tell donors. “There are people being restored because of the Mission.”

You have an awesome opportunity to continue to be a part of what God is doing through Bethesda. Once guests’ physical needs are met, they are more receptive to hearing the life-changing message that is the Gospel. Will you give a gift to change a life this month?

Thank you for your time and continued support. May God bless you richly!

In Him,

Scott Dunwoody
Executive Director

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;

    save me, and I shall be saved,

    for you are my praise.”

Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV)