Alonzo lives with congestive heart failure 
but without insurance. The Rockwall man 
wears a defibrillator vest to prevent sudden 
cardiac arrest. And, when needed, he visits 
the Grace Clinic. 

Rockwall County residents with qualifying 
incomes and without health insurance or 
medical assistance programs can contact 
the Grace Clinic, near downtown Rockwall. 
Each Wednesday evening, local health 
care professionals volunteer to treat basic 
ailments—coughs and colds—or more 
serious conditions.

Since March 2014 the clinic has served 
“the uninsured and underserved” at 418 E. 
Bourn St. Grace Clinic staff has made good 
use of space provided by Piedra Angular 

Assembly of God, which has shared office 
areas and contributed rooms for patient 
examinations. But the clinic will soon 
move to its own facility. 

Happy Campers

I recently met some of the clinic staff 
during their 6 to 8 p.m. hours. A non-
English speaking woman, Guadalupe Vera, 
greeted me from her desk in the foyer, 
where she volunteers with patient check-in. 
Her bilingual daughter, Esmeralda, soon 
arrived to work beside her.

Beyond the foyer I met Grace Clinic’s 
Board President, Brenda Cross, who 
showed me the two exam rooms they 
outfitted with donations from Baylor 
Hospital’s warehouse. Afterward, in the 
small office shared by the entire health care 
team, I met others on duty that evening.

Clinic Manager Debi Williamson told 
me about the client with the wearable 
defibrillator. Alonzo comes for check-ups 
since he’s not eligible for Medicare until 
November. 

Several feet from Debi’s workspace, the 
clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Rebecca 
Burchfiel, pulled files from a cabinet. The 
doctor, who works with Benchmark Family 
Medical in Rockwall, said Grace Clinic 
treats a lot of health issues related 
to diabetes and high blood pressure. 

They told me about the other health care 
team members. Dr. Steven Bray serves as 
the Assistant Medical Director and regular 
attending physician. The clinic’s nurse 
is Kate Elsey, a school nurse at Springer 
Elementary.

I also met Karen Straughan, who works as 
a local real estate agent but also serves as 
Grace Clinic’s board secretary. While the 
others worked around us, she and Brenda 
filled me in on their plans to move. While 
listening, I noticed the group’s happy 
camaraderie. Karen explained: 
“There’s just joy.”  

A Holistic Approach

As I looked at the clinic’s 
brochure with a stated 
mission as a Christ-centered 
organization, I wondered 
how these diverse people 
came together. 

How did Dr. Burchfiel 
get involved? “She’s our 
doctor,” Brenda and Karen 
chimed in together.

Brenda, who works by day 
as a marketing strategist, 
explained how the clinic 
emerged from a kitchen table 
conversation with friends 
several years ago. She said 
they all knew that out-of-
hospital care is a challenge for those 
at the poverty level, “who too often 
head to the local emergency room in 
place of a clinic, even if they only need 
medication refills.”

Karen was part of that original 
brainstorming session and told me they 
believed another clinic could supplement 
other available health care in the area. 
“There’s a huge need for indigent care 
in Rockwall, and we hope to fill some of 
those gaps,” she said. “We’re open in the 
evening. Our staff is volunteer. We’re a free 
and charitable clinic like the Hope Clinic in 
Garland—that’s our model.” (Grace Clinic 
requests only a $10 donation from clients).  

Dr. Bray, who had hoped for a local mission 
opportunity, responded to a notice about the 
clinic in the weekly bulletin at Lake Pointe 
Church, where most of the clinic’s board 
members attend church. 

Grace Clinic honors the scriptural 
admonition “to do good and to share 
what you have” (Hebrews 13:16), which 
includes spiritual care. The group told me 
they sometimes ask to pray with clients. 
However, “Dr. Bray prays with everyone,” 
they said—nearly singing in unison.

“This is not just about health care,” 
Brenda added. “It’s about equipping people,

offering health education, personal 
encouragement and Christian ministry.”

More Grace This Summer

The clinic’s new location just north of 
downtown, at 602 Goliad, will provide 
twice the space, with room for patient 
education and conferences. And having 
their own building will allow the staff to 
add another evening and extend the hours.

“A very generous local resident gave us 
the house to use,” Brenda said. The older 
home is being renovated and should be 
ready for move-in this summer.  

Grace Clinic’s long-range goals include 
becoming a five-days-a-week clinic (still 
evenings) and paying mid-level providers. 
As a 501©3 not-for-profit organization, 
these and other goals depend on the 
support of individuals, businesses 
and local churches.

Find out more about Grace Clinic 
and volunteer opportunities at www.
RockwallGraceClinic.org or call 
972-722-4606 for an appointment.

By Blue Ribbon News special contributor 
Patti Richter of Heath.  

GOOD FAITH

18

Summer Edition 2016

BlueRibbonNews.com

More Grace in Rockwall County

The charitable Grace Clinic prepares to expand

Alonzo is a Rockwall County resident who 

benefits from the charitable clinic. Photo 

courtesy of Grace Clinic. 

The new location at 602 Goliad will allow Grace Clinic to 

expand their services. Photo courtesy of Grace Clinic.

Donated equipment from a Baylor Hospital 

warehouse outfitted the clinic’s examination 

rooms. Photo by Patti Richter.