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If you're uninsured or under-insured, getting access to quality health care can be a challenge. Some doctors say they simply can't afford to provide indigent care or the low re-imbursement rates from Medicaid.
But, there is a place where 75 to 100 patients a day from all across northwest Florida, get the care of angels in our midst.
Haley Jernigan, a Seton Center patient says, "the doctors are awesome and more than that, it's the nurses. The nurses know me by name. I come in, they don't call Haley Jernigan, they're like, "Haley," and it's great."
For women like Haley Jernigan, the Seton Center is a little-known treasure in the community. Located not far from Sacred Heart, the center is funded by the hospital and florida state's College of Medicine.
Dr. Julie Decesare, the center's OB/GYN, says, "our goal is to provide care for indigent, unfunded or underserved women in the community."
Dr. Julie Decesar has cared for those patients here for 10 years. She says it's a joy to do what she loves to do and not have to worry about not being able to pay staff or cover costs. They just focus on the people here.
Dr. Decesare says, "we turn away no patient, regardless of their ability to pay or their insurance status. We strive to provide high quality care for these patients."
The Seton medical team includes 12 interns, carefully selected from across the country for these coveted positions. They'll learn the medical and technical from one of the best, but she'll also teach them something else.
Dr. Decesare also says, "what I hope is what they learn from us when they go out into the community and practice, that they will accept some charity care and do some indigent care."
It is that care that means the most to women who know they might not find it anywhere else.
Dr. Decesare says, "thinking about some of the patients and the success stories and the places that we've intervened early to get good outcomes and that's why we do it."
Haley says, "I love them all. It's more personal. They're like friends more than doctors and nurses."
Dr. Decesare says, "this is why i went into medicine, really, to provide care for the indigent and underserved."
Angels in our midst is brought to you by Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.Angels In Our Midst (Dr. Julie DeCesare)
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