Discover how through your generosity the Good Samaritan Health Center made a difference in Atlanta in 2015.

Dear friends,

I was recently asked what I’ve learned about poverty through my experience leading The Good Samaritan Health Center (Good Sam). The full answer to that question is complex and multi-layered, but the biggest lesson is this:

“Your ZIP Code is more important than your genetic code in
determining whether you live or die.”
– Dr. Adewale Troutman

What does this mean? It means that the daily exposure to blight, violence, sickness, broken relationships, hunger, homelessness, etc. can have serious long-term health effects. In fact, the ZIP code where Good Sam is located has a 13-year life-expectancy gap when compared to more affluent areas like Buckhead. Families living in this under-resourced ZIP code start off at a serious disadvantage and it’s difficult to overcome. On the mental health side, long-term & sustained poverty has been found to have the same impact on the brain as a traumatic event. In other words, poverty is in itself a trauma. I believe this is why Jesus spent so much of his ministry healing the sick, casting out demons, and speaking truth over hurting people. Good Sam is committed to following in His footsteps.

In 2015 Good Sam put a stake in the ground declaring that because we are located in the Bankhead neighborhood, we are determined to change the lifespan gap. We are doing this through a few strategic projects including, but not limited to:

• Completed a $1.5 million capital campaign to expand our medical services, enhance mental
  health counseling, add an on-site physical fitness center, build a farmer’s market, and improve our technology infrastructure for patient education.
• Provided 27,025 patient visits with 94% being from established/returning patients. 73% of Good Sam’s patients complete 2-3 visits/year, qualifying Good Sam as their medical home.
• Launched the Good Sam Institute, a new program to convene healthcare professionals through quarterly Lunch & Learn events, publish cutting-edge medical research & strategies, and share expertise to improve the quality of healthcare for all people.
• Established the farm as Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) designated and partner with Wholesome Wave to double SNAP/EBT benefits for patients.
• Expanded our Homeless Program from one Friday/month to two Fridays/month, with the goal of providing homeless care every Friday in late 2016.

But all of this is just the beginning. To give our neighbors 13 years back, we need your continued support. I hope you will enjoy this wonderful annual report and consider joining us as a monthly supporter. To learn more about the 13 Year Club, please visit www.goodsamatlanta.org/13years.

As always, we thank you for your support. You are truly our Good Samaritan!

Sincerely,

John Luckett
Chief Executive Officer
The Good Samaritan Health Center