Dr. Rodney Knoerr joins voluntary staff as director of dental screening

The Loving Hands Clinic has received two $5,000 grants and is also once again the recipient of the 2008 HealthPlus of Michigan Rainmaker Award.

Cathy Johnson, Loving Hands Clinic executive director, said one of the grants was received from United Way of Lapeer County. It will be used to help serve the needs of Lapeer County residents, who are between 19 to 64. The clinic’s patients receive health care at no charge after meeting criteria.

Johnson said the clinic and its Board of Directors President Dr. Nancy Brinker are pleased to accept the funding from United Way as a vote of confidence in the services they offer the greater Lapeer County community.

Johnson said funding from the grants will purchase patient medications, testing supplies, and will continue to support and expand dental services to patients of the Loving Hands Clinic.

The clinic was also again one of 15 recipients of the 2008 HealthPlus of Michigan Rainmaker Ward. The award and a $5,000 grant was presented Sept. 25 at a ceremony in Flint.

The award is presented to Michigan organizations encouraging and providing the highest levels of health and healing in their communities. Johnson said the award comes in the form of a Native American totem symbol reflecting the values of the award winner. The award to the Loving Hands Clinic represents a Native American drum representing physical, physiological, and spiritual well being.

Patients to the Loving Hands Clinic must have no medical insurance, or are underinsured and have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. The clinic — which is housed inside Maple Grove Church — treats patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as hypertension or diabetes requiring access to a primary care doctor on a regular basis for follow-up care.

“As of last month we have doubled the amount of patients we’re able to see because of our volunteer practitioner,” she said. “The need here continues to grow by leaps and bounds.”

In related news, Johnson also announced Dr. Rodney Knoerr has joined the volunteer staff as the director of its dental screening clinic. A longtime resident of Lapeer County, Knoerr has a thriving practice in Flushing. The dental screening clinic is only available to established patients of the Loving Hands Clinic.

“Dr. Knoerr provides expertise to our organization and isn’t practicing here,” Johnson said. “He is volunteering his expertise and guidance.”

The clinic has also added Marsha Schultz as a primary care medical provider. A resident of Lapeer County, Schultz has been providing primary care medical services to Lapeer and Oakland County residents for more than 30 years.

The Loving Hands Clinic also received a $5,400 grant from the Michigan Department of Community Health, Johnson said and added, “Every little bit helps.”

The clinic has sporadic hours of operation. For more information on the Loving Hands Clinic, phone (810) 667-8933 or visit its Web site at www.lovinghandsclinic.org.

Story by JENNIFER DECKER, STAFF REPORTER, THE COUNTY PRESS