Host Phil Boyum welcomed two guests Thursday to the “Mornings unPHILtered” show who are spearheading an effort to open a free health clinic in Statesboro.
    Reverend John Long from the Sons Light Fellowship Church and Andres Montes, who is president of the new Hearts and Hands Community Clinic, discussed the clinic.
    They will hold an open house from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday at Sons Light Fellowship Church, 9941 Highway 301 South, at what used to be called the old Mafia Hotel next to the Gateway Animal Hospital.
    A group of Georgia Southern students led by pre-med students Montes and Emma Boyer created a grassroots organization some 18 months ago in order to establish a free health care clinic for the medically uninsured in Statesboro.  
    The first step was taken Jan. 15, 2009 when the committee founded their nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation to be known as The Hearts and Hands Clinic, Inc.
    Montes told Boyum the doctors who will staff the clinic are: Dr. Ismael Montes (MD, FACEP, and FAAEM) and Dr. Fernando Perez (MD) both of whom are attending emergency medicine physicians; Dr. Jarrett Walden (DMD), dentist, and Dr. Bryant Smalley (Psy.D.), Psychologist.
    Montes said Hearts and Hands clinicians will begin by offering primary medical and dental care along with psychological examinations, if requested. In order to be seen, patients must be medically uninsured, with incomes that meet certain Federal Poverty guidelines.
    Patients will be seen initially on a first come, first served basis; then will move to appointment only visits. The clinic will start by being open two Saturdays per month, and will be open from the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Montes also announced that Ogeechee Technical College has agreed to open up their dental chairs for use by Dr. Walden and his volunteer assistants. He said that this practice would likely be started sometime in March.
    For more information on how to help them with their clinic, or to find out how to get medical care, call (770) 833-8571 or (912) 344-8463. You can also go to their Facebook site The-Hearts-and-Hands-Clinic, or go to their website at web.me.com/heartsandhands.
    The clinic also is accepting donations, which are tax-deductible. The mailing address is: The Hearts and Hands Clinic, Inc., P.O. Box 224, Statesboro, GA 30459.
    
     “Mornings unPHILtered” airs live Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on statesboroherald.com and also simulcast on WWNS-AM 1240 on the radio. You also can listen anytime at BoroLive.com on statesboroherald.com