It was a busy, snowy day at the Carmi Rotary club on Thursday, featuring discussion of an upcoming fundraiser, a very informative guest speaker, and even a visiting Lion!
Janelle Waters and Darcy Marshall-Linton were on hand as the day’s speakers, to discuss the Wabash Christian Therapy and Medical Clinic.
Helen Pollard Sexton presenting Janelle Waters with a guest speaker certificate. Photo credit Kenneth Dwain Harrelson
Janelle explained to the club, that the idea for the clinic grew out of patient requests. Prior to 2008, the therapy clinic at the Wabash retirement center was used exclusively for residents of that facility. The staff was overwhelmed with requests for therapy by non-residents, and the idea took shape to begin offering that service to others.
In 2010, they had outgrown the allotted space at Wabash Christian, so during a renovation of the nursing home, they expanded the therapy space to accommodate the new clients. Much to their surprise, they outgrew the new larger space in a matter of six months. It was at that point they began the search for a building they could move to.
Soon after, they purchased a building on Oak Street, in conjunction with Hamilton Memorial Hospital and Wabash Hospital, and moved the therapy operations to that facility. Within one year, they discovered they had again outgrown their building, and the lot next door was purchased and a large expansion was added.
Janelle told the Rotarians they are extremely proud of the high scores they receive on patient satisfaction surveys. On a scale of one to five, they consistently receive fours or fives on every survey. They are also very happy to get referrals from doctors as far away as Evansville, who know the high quality of work that is done in the Carmi clinic.
The clinic accepts almost all insurances, but a patient must have a referral or prescription from a doctor to be accepted as a new patient. Janelle explained that Illinois Medicaid does not reimburse the clinic, but they still see patients with that insurance on a limited basis.
The clinic does offer free screenings by appointment to individuals who think they might need therapy, but again, a doctor’s referral is required before full treatments can begin.
The clinic employs nine therapists, including four occupational therapists, four physical therapists, and one speech therapist. Since it’s opening, the clinic has treated patients as young as under one year old, up to a 100 year old person.
The clinic has an active Facebook page and Janelle encourages anyone and everyone to like that page. The clinic can be reached by phone at 618-382-2927.
Following Janelle’s presentation, Don Winkleman of the Carmi Lion’s Club made an announcement to the Rotarians. Don informed the club that this year’s bell ringing raised a record $22,000.00, and the Carmi Rotary Club was the top service organization money raiser. Don went on to explain that the Rotary, the Lions and the Kiwanis Club accounted for over $10,000.00 of the total money raised!
In club business, the members firmed up plans for the upcoming Chili Supper fundraiser. The Chili Supper will be held on Saturday, January 14th at the Lion’s Den in Carmi. Tickets are only seven dollars each, and can be purchased form any Carmi Rotarian or at the door the night of the event. Chili and all the sides will be served from five pm until 7 pm that evening.
Sherri Logan won the 50/50 drawing but was not able to claim the day’s cash prize. Don Drone named Andy Williams as the day’s phantom.
The Carmi Rotary club meets every Thursday at noon at the First United Methodist Church in Carmi. Anyone wishing to learn more about this worldwide civic club is more than welcome to attend a meeting or speak with any Carmi Rotarian.
