Girdwood Health Clinic community health includes more than medical care

By  Brooks Chandler

TNews Contributor

Many people equate “health clinic” with seeing a medical provider.  

The Girdwood Health Clinic takes a broader view of its role as an advocate for community health.    

There are “social determinants” that impact health, says Patient Assistance Program Coordinator Linda Mankoff.

These include housing. An insecure housing situation, or just how living in the cold, can make someone sick and cause mental stress.

Not having enough food to eat is also a health concern that has the attention of the clinic.

A lack of transportation reduces access to specialty medical services not available at the clinic, says Mankoff.

Mankoff's Patient Assistance Program is designed to improve these social determinants of health.  

The clinic educates community members about available public assistance programs.

For example, Mankoff says folks may be directed to Cook Inlet Housing by the clinic if they need housing and are willing to live in Anchorage.

Girdwood Health Clinic following its construction. (Photo courtesy of Girdwood Health Clinic)

They can also learn about possible help through Catholic Social Services.  

And domestic violence victims can be referred to agencies providing temporary safe places to live.  

Meanwhile, Girdwood senior citizens get help accessing the Senior Citizens Food Program.  

Education may simply be letting people know that on-site mental health services are regularly available at the clinic.

When a community member wants to apply for a program such as food stamps or Medicaid, Mankoff says the clinic helps them fill out the inevitable mounds of paperwork.  Before the clinic existed this type of help required a trip to town.  

As a certified community health worker and application counselor Mankoff says the clinic can provide help on site. These efforts are part of creating and maintaining a “full circle of health” for Girdwood, she says.

All of these services are provided for free and regardless of whether the community member being assisted is a medical patient and confidentiality protocol prevents the clinic from identifying specific health benefits from these efforts, according to Mankoff.

Each day, a stack of food boxes for seniors awaits delivery free those who need it, a manifestation of the social service Girdwood's clinic provides.