Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013–2014
9
Health of Vulnerable Populations
Dr. Roberts has learned to manage
her patients’ care in a way that reflects
the current focus on value rather than
on payment for individual services—
a hallmark of the mission-focused
community health center. This means,
for example, not ordering imaging
tests or referring patients to distant
and expensive specialists unless she
has no alternative. Instead, she relies
more on her own expertise and that
of her colleagues.
She also feels that the patients she
sees on a regular basis are learning to take
better charge of their health. “I am your
perpetual optimist,” she says. And while
many still come to the clinic with acute
health needs, she recently had a 23-year-
old farm worker who came because he
knew he should have a checkup.
Me’Shall Poole, site director for the
Prospect Hill Community Health Center,
is thrilled that Dr. Roberts and her fellow
Teaching Health Center colleagues are
practicing at the clinic. Me’Shall grew
up outside of Prospect Hill in nearby
Sweetgum. “My mom, dad, aunts, uncles,
cousins—everyone comes here,” she says.
When Me’Shall was growing up, care was
very limited in Caswell County. The closest
place was Prospect Hill, which has
always provided care on a sliding scale.
Teaching Health Center residents
have dramatically improved access to
care. The clinic sees up to 400 patients
a week—double the number before
the UNC partnership. The residents
also bring new ideas and fresh ways
of connecting with patients.
Today, as site director, Me’Shall is
responsible for the clinic’s growth and
financial well-being. She is passionate
about her role. And, like Dr. Roberts,
she is excited about the changes she sees
in the clinic’s patients. They are becoming
more informed about their health, and
they are taking charge. Dr. Roberts
agrees. “When people know about us,”
she says, “they are empowered to get
the care they deserve.”
To learn more about
the UNC Teaching
Health Center, please visit
.
The medical residents are
invested in the community,
and the community is
invested in the residents.
Me’Shall Poole,
site director for the
Prospect Hill Community Health Center
45%OF NC RESIDENTS
LIVE IN
RURAL
COUNTIES,
BUT ONLY
PRIMARY CARE
DOCTORS
HAVE
PRACTICES THERE
18
%
OF
7
