Serving with joy
When Jenny Albin needed to choose a medical home for her pregnancy care, the choice was easy. "My sister recommended Family HealthCare Center, plus I knew from working here that this was a place where everybody was friendly and ready to help," she says. "You feel like they have time for you."
Last year alone, FHC in Fargo welcomed more than 11,000 patients – immigrants, refugees from war-torn countries, insured, uninsured and homeless. In addition to medical care, the center provides dental care, a full-service pharmacy and interpreter services.
"Good quality health care should be accessible to all and that's our mission. On a small scale and with help from community partners, we make it possible," says Dr. Napoleon Espejo, FHC medical director. MeritCare's support includes operational assistance, access to affordable specialty care and lab services, care coordination with the Internal Medicine Resident Clinic and more.
"By combining resources, we can remove barriers to care. That makes a big difference for patients," says Dr. Espejo, referring to the costly complications, hospital stays and emergency room visits that can happen when medical care isn't easily available.
Dr. Espejo's belief in "health care for all" took root years ago, when he was a boy in Peru. He planned to become a priest, then switched gears and became a board-certified family practice physician. For 13 years he has served at FHC, his faith continuing to motivate him. "This is work we love and we do it with joy," he says. "I see each patient who walks through our doors as Christ. That means you have to be very respectful and do your best."
For Jenny, the spirit of FHC continues to inspire, now shining through in the face of her healthy baby boy. "I love seeing Quinncy first thing every morning," she says. "He's always so happy and smiling."
Posted Date: January 2009