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Inside MKHC: Recent Initiatives
- andreakwink
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 24
New Retinal Scanner Makes Eye Care More Accessible
MKHC's brand-new retinal scanner is officially in action! This device is making it easier for patients at risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) to get screened—right here in our clinic!
✅ No more referrals to specialists
✅ A familiar, convenient location
✅ As simple as snapping a photo!
Our dedicated volunteer providers have already scanned 30+ patients, detecting early signs of DR and helping them make crucial lifestyle changes to protect their vision. Thanks to this new screening, four patients have been identified for urgent follow-up care, and we’re working with partners to get them the treatment they need.
The new scanner saves patients time and helps us offer more essential eye care services!
The Impact of Persistent Care: Mr. S's Story
When Mr. S first came to MKHC, he had been suffering from pain in his abdomen. He was worried it might be cancer, since he’d lost both parents to that illness. MKHC diagnosed him with acid reflux and gastritis. After several years of successful treatment, the pain became worse, and medication no longer worked. The nurse practitioner at MKHC insisted he see a GI specialist and get additional testing. The specialist referred him for a CT scan and colonoscopy/endoscopy. Although the tests were generally normal, a small tumor was found in his stomach. Mr. S was immediately sent to oncology and for treatment at NIH, and the tumor was removed. Though this tumor was not the source of the patient's pain, if he had not been referred for a more in-depth work up, the tumor might not have been discovered until it had spread to other organs. Mr. S is recovering well. He and his wife are extremely grateful to the care team at MKHC for insisting that he get further testing, as this led to the cancer being caught early, before it could spread.
Outreach Efforts at Local Organizations
MKHC is focusing on outreach to local organizations and communities where healthcare services might be needed. The Montgomery Cares network of clinics working with the uninsured treat around 25,000 patients each year, but the uninsured population in the county could be as high as 85,000 - meaning a significant population is not receiving care. MKHC hopes to connect more residents to healthcare through our outreach efforts.
We are building on lessons learned from previous outreach efforts and focusing on meeting potential patients where they are - and that means going out into the community, building partnerships, and getting our name out there. Recently, MKHC staff have attended two food distribution events to provide information on our services directly to potential patients. They also met with the community liaisons at two local elementary schools to explore how MKHC might connect with parents that need our services.
Learn more about MKHC
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