CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Good Samaritan Ministries this year will celebrate 40 years of serving those in need through their medical and dental clinic, affiliated with First Baptist Clarksville.

“On the medical side we see people with high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and high cholesterol,” said Administrator Joan Thomas, who has been with the organization for 21 years.

The site of the medical and dental clinic of Good Samaritan Ministries at 364 Union Street in Clarksville, on Mar. 7, 2022. (Lee Erwin).
Good Samaritan Ministries Administrator Joan Thomas in the lobby of the medical and dental clinic, on Mar. 7, 2022. (Lee Erwin).
One of the dental rooms in the clinic at Good Samaritan Ministries, on Mar. 7, 2022. (Lee Erwin).
One of the medical rooms in the clinic at Good Samaritan Ministries, on Mar. 7, 2022. (Lee Erwin).
One of the medical rooms in the clinic at Good Samaritan Ministries, on Mar. 7, 2022. (Lee Erwin).

“When it comes to diabetes, with insulin or any diabetic paraphernalia, we would like to get that from people who have gone off diabetic medicines, have extra, or maybe someone who has passed, and a member of their household donates the diabetic supplies for those who need it,” Thomas said.

Thomas said the organization’s services are available for adults, and the free clinic is available for anyone who is under the poverty level and does not have insurance. For the dental side of the clinic, they offer only tooth extraction.

“All of our dentists and doctors here are volunteers. At this time, we have eight doctors and six dentists, and we are in desperate need of more dentists and dental assistants,” Thomas said. She added that they are a place where they don’t want to just treat a person’s body, because they are a faith-based organization.

“We give out Bibles and we want to give people hope for a good future. We pray with people, we love on people, and we just want them to have a better life by getting them their medications,” Thomas said.

Volunteers needed

Along with financial donations, Good Samaritan is in need of volunteers to serve as counselors, to help at their front desk, or for handiwork and cleaning inside and outside of their building.

They also need help to develop a website – something they have hoped for and have been trying to do for many years.

Thomas said she wants everyone to know there is no judgment when you come to Good Samaritan Ministries. “It doesn’t matter about your race, creed or nationality, what we are here for is to love you and to help you.”

To get help

Good Samaritan Ministries is at 364 Union St. and the office is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon. They take dental appointments starting on Friday at 9 a.m. for the following week. Hours vary at the clinics depending on the availability of volunteer doctors and dentists.

For more details, email goodsam.ministry@gmail.com or call 931-648-2444.

Giving Grace, sponsored by Grace Dental, is an ongoing Clarksville Now series showcasing local nonprofit organizations.