Nurse practitioners Mary Wysochansky and Anna Stinchcum founded and opened the Sumter Faith Clinic — a free clinic to treat the uninsured and underinsured in Americus, Ga., a community Wysochansky says has been particularly hard-hit by the economy. Fueled solely by donations, the facility provides basic health care and spiritual support to Sumter County residents.  Wysochansky and Stinchcum, who also work for pay at a nearby health clinic, donate their time to the free Sumter clinic along with a number of other nurses, doctors and support staff. “The spiritual benefits are wonderful,” says patient Regina K. Benson. “They will pray with you. They treat you as a person rather than a number.  You’re treated with respect, and no matter that your income is low, they don’t look down on you.”

Originally posted on Odyssey Networks