WATCH celebrates 15th anniversary
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on February 8, 2015 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
From left, W.A.T.C.H. board members Murray Porter, Sam Hunter and Dr. Clark Gaither talk during the organization's 15th anniversary celebration Thursday.
Sixteen years ago, Dr. Clark Gaither had a simple idea -- but one he believed in wholeheartedly.
"I thought the county needed a free clinic," he said. "I didn't know what to do about it. It was just an idea."
But that suggestion blossomed when he was referred to Sissy Lee-Elmore, who, in turn, began writing grants that would jump-start what became known as WATCH, or Wayne Action Teams for Community Health.
Gaither became medical director for WATCH, while Mrs. Lee-Elmore was named executive director.
"Sissy's done a yeoman's job finding funding all these years and, of course, we have been able to demonstrate need all along," he said. "Fifteen, 16 years ago, when I went to her with this idea, I thought it would maybe serve the community for three to five years and we would be out -- out of funds, out of resources -- but we have just steadily grown.
"I think now we're at 1,000 patients a month. This has got to be one of the busiest free clinics in North Carolina. I don't think anybody expected this much success for this program or that it would last this long."
But it has.
And it shows no signs of slowing down.
Now, in addition to the looming mobile medical unit that travels the county providing services to the uninsured, it includes a clinic at the Family YMCA and a third "campus clinic" behind Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Thursday evening, staff hosted an open house to celebrate the 15th anniversary of WATCH and acknowledge some of its milestones, which Gaither shared with those in attendance.
The WATCH health care program provided 10,586 visits last year to 4,775 unduplicated patients.
Also in 2014, the program accepted 646 new patients and provided 97,524 (30-day) prescriptions with a retail value of $2.8 million.
Two former patients gave testimonials of how much the service had meant to them.
"I was a patient for 10 years," Melissa Whiteside said. "My husband and I had a business of our own. We couldn't afford health insurance."
Eventually, she returned to school and is now employed by the WATCH program, she said.
Edward Aguilar recalled being diagnosed with cancer in 2003 after seeking care at the WATCH van parked at a church in Seven Springs. He was 16.
"I just went in. My parents didn't have insurance for me," he said. "I had a bump on my back and my neck, just something I thought was simple. They found out it was leukemia.
"They helped us with getting help and keeping me up to date with whatever tests I needed. Without them, I don't know how long I would have waited. They got it in time."
Gaither shared a similar testimonial of the first patient he saw on the mobile unit, a black gentleman who discovered a lump on his chest.
"It was the first male breast cancer I ever found," the physician said. "He had a good result because he came in early."
Reflecting on all the success -- and lives that have been changed and benefited from the health care program over the past 15 years -- Wayne Memorial Hospital President and CEO William Paugh said one could not help but be grateful for its presence.
In addition to staff, volunteers and community donors who have supported the program, two benefactors were also on hand Thursday for the proceedings.
Gene Cochrane Jr., president of The Duke Endowment, was credited with backing Gaither's idea at the outset by funding the first van. He said the relationship between his organization and WATCH has been a great one.
"That first check has been followed over the years with eight other checks simply because the results have been good," he said. "WATCH has done exactly what it said it would do, over and over again."
Dan Gerlach, president of The Golden LEAF Foundation, praised WATCH for responding to the community need.
"We don't know everything that's good for you, to help transform the economy of this county," he said. "One of the things (residents) pointed out is that your clinic has a great history, is part of the fabric of Wayne County."
Having the backing of the community and knowing its citizens believe in the program is a testament to the importance of sustaining the clinic, he said.
"The community has responded magnificently, from the initial WATCH board to the volunteers, to the funds, the hospital support," Gaither said. "It has not just been one person's efforts. There were a lot of hands in the pot.
"What's the saying, 'Too many cooks spoil the soup?' Untrue. A lot of cooks do keep this effort going. The soup's pretty good."