Good Samaritans Offering Healing And Hope

Good Samaritans are providing health care for Tulsans in need.  News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren reports it's appropriately called Good Samaritan Health Services and they provide more than just medical care.  They provide all kinds of services, help and hope.

J.R. Robinson moved to Tulsa two years ago. Since then, he says he's fallen on hard times.

"Ran out of money shortly after getting here and I'm waiting for Social Security and disability to kick in. I've had cancer and two strokes. Can't work anymore," said J.R. Robinson.

On Tuesday, he saw a doctor about some eye problems he's been having. But, he also has diabetes and is at risk for a lot of other health problems.  Before he left, he got his diagnosis and all of his meds for free.

"Well, it's much easier obviously. I'm staying healthier because my meds are supplied. I don't have to worry about that. I come once a month. It's a done deal," said J.R. Robinson.

J.R.'s doctor's office is a trailer. He makes a visit to the mobile medical unit once a month while it's parked in a church parking lot. That stop is just one of the many stops the trailer makes throughout Tulsa.

It may look like a regular trailer from the outside, but on the inside it's equipped with a reception area, three exams rooms and a lab.  It makes more than 10 stops a week to13 different sites and it's manned mostly by volunteers.

Tuesday's volunteers were with the Tulsa Christian Fellowship, and according to the co-founder of Good Samaritan Health Services, Dr. John Crouch, it's those church partners and their volunteers that make the program so successful.

"But they really make the site sort of come alive," said Dr. John Crouch.

He says Good Samaritan's goal is not just to provide free health care.  They also want to heal the community emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

"Not just do they have a sore throat and can we treat that. Sure, we can do that. But, what are their other medical needs? What are their other social and spiritual needs that will help them to start to say let's put our lives back together and see if we can progress beyond where we are," said Dr. John Crouch.