Healthcare with Heart, with Shameka Allen, Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett
In this episode of the Good2Give Podcast, hosts Maria Walden and DePriest Waddy from the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia interview Shameka Allen, the CEO of Good Samaritan Health Centers in Gwinnett. They discuss the history and operations of the clinics, which provide affordable healthcare services to uninsured and low-income individuals. The conversation explores the diverse demographics served, the unique cost model, and the various services offered, including medical, dental, and prescription assistance. They also highlight the clinic’s commitment to holistic, compassionate care, supported by their faith-based values, and their innovative workforce development initiative, Access Academy. Additionally, the episode covers the clinics’ adaptation to treat long COVID, the impact of immigration policies on patient care, and the upcoming spring fundraising campaign.
To learn more and to donate to Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett, follow this link.
The Good2Give Podcast is presented by the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link.
Shameka Allen, Executive Director, Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett
Shameka Allen is the Chief Executive Officer of Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett, a role she assumed in January 2024. With a strong background in healthcare management and non-profit organizations, Shameka brings extensive experience to her position.
Prior to becoming CEO, Shameka served as the Associate Director of Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett from September 2021 to December 2023. In this role, she collaborated with the Executive Director to manage staff and volunteers, maintain industry standards, and evaluate opportunities to improve operations.
Shameka’s career history includes positions such as Manager of Practice Management at Beltone and Regional Operations Director at DaVita Kidney Care, where she was responsible for multiple dialysis facilities and home dialysis units.
Shameka holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, a Master of Arts in International Relations and Affairs from the University of Indianapolis, and a Bachelor of Arts in French Studies from Emory University. Her diverse educational background complements her professional experience in healthcare management and non-profit leadership.
Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett
Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett is a non-profit medical clinic located in Norcross, Georgia, dedicated to providing low-cost healthcare services to uninsured and underinsured residents of Gwinnett County and surrounding areas. Founded in 2004, the organization offers a comprehensive range of services, including primary care, general dentistry, pediatric care, counseling, health education classes, and pharmacy assistance. This broad spectrum of services is designed to address the diverse health needs of the community, ensuring that individuals have access to quality care regardless of their financial situation.
The mission of Good Samaritan Health Center is rooted in demonstrating the love of Christ by providing quality, affordable, and accessible health and dental services to the poor and uninsured. The organization aims to reduce health disparities by offering consistent and reliable healthcare options. Additionally, it seeks to decrease the non-emergent use of emergency rooms by the uninsured, which can be both costly and inefficient. By providing a stable source of primary care, Good Samaritan Health Center helps to manage chronic conditions effectively and prevent unnecessary hospital visits.
Good Samaritan Health Center operates with a staff of about 30 and relies heavily on over 400 annual volunteers, including medical professionals and students. The organization sees approximately 2,500 patients per month, with appointment fees ranging from $25 to $75. In recent years, the center has provided an estimated $5.2 million worth of healthcare services through thousands of patient encounters. It has received several accolades, including GuideStar’s Platinum status and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce’s Healthcare Excellence Award, recognizing its commitment to quality care and community service.
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Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome
00:38 Meet Shameka Allen, CEO of Good Samaritan Health
01:52 History and Mission of Good Samaritan Health Centers
03:55 Demographics and Services Offered
07:27 Innovative Healthcare Models and Payment Structures
12:36 Dental Services and Community Impact
16:51 Funding and Community Partnerships
18:14 Workforce Development and Access Academy
26:04 Faith-Based Approach and Patient Care
27:07 Challenges and Innovations in Healthcare
31:34 Conclusion and Call to Action
The Good2Give Podcast celebrates the work of donors, nonprofits, and the causes they care about. DePriest Waddy and Maria Walden are the show’s hosts, and the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia is the presenting sponsor.
The Good2Give Podcast is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. You can also find the show on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many others.
At the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, everything they do centers around one purpose: improving the world through the power of philanthropy.
On a fundamental level, they do that through managing funds held in trust, donated by individuals, organizations, and businesses. Most funds are donor-advised funds, similar to savings accounts. These funds are pooled for investment purposes, and their income is used to make grants for a wide variety of charitable purposes.
But the Foundation’s goals extend far beyond managing funds. They desire to strengthen the communities they serve in Gwinnett, Northeast Georgia, and beyond by providing leadership, addressing community needs, and assisting individuals and organizations with their charitable giving.
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