E D U C A T I O N A L
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Featured Project
MATTAPONI HEALING EAGLE FREE HEALTH CLINIC
Mattaponi Indian Reservation, Virginia
Dr. Narinder S. Arora, M.D., born in northern India, claims that one day during his prayers, an angel appeared telling him to help the Virginia Indians. At the same time, Mattaponi Chief Carl Lone Eagle Custalow had a strong desire that his people and other Virginia Indians receive proper healthcare. So, in 1999, they opened a medical health clinic on the Mattaponi Indian Reservation (one of the oldest reservations in the country) located in King William County, Virginia. The Healing Eagle Clinic works out of the Mattaponi Community Building, a former two-room schoolhouse. In 2003, Dr. Arora, a pulmonologist from Charlottesville, VA, was joined by Sharon Clarke, a nurse practitioner also from Charlottesville. The clinic is also staffed by volunteer nurses and medical students from MCV and UVA. All Native Americans are welcome at the clinic whether recognized by Virginia or not.
The clinic sees 40-60 patients on a typical day and provides general physical examinations and medication refills. The most commonly encountered health problems include diabetes, heart disease, and upper respiratory infections. Patients depart with a diagnosis, planned prevention, and appropriate treatments. Seriously ill patients are referred to the VCU Medical Center. Patients needing chest x-rays, biopsies, blood work, or EKG’s are referred out. On occasion, a few patients may come in to Dr. Arora’s Charlottesville office for additional care. The MHEC is a fast-paced clinic and provides an excellent educational opportunity for volunteering medical students. Many students also enjoy learning about the Indian culture and getting to know the Mattaponi. The MHEC welcomes all who are interested in volunteering.
Availability of healthcare for underserved Native Americans is still a major problem, but the Mattaponi Clinic does offer a constant dependable source of health services that would not be available otherwise. The skeletal all-volunteer staff receives no reimbursement. Funding comes from caring folks such as church groups and the Virginia Branch of The King’s Daughters and Sons, as well as from private donations and memorials. Much needed supplies and medicines are provided in the same manner. Continued support is essential to its operation.
The clinic is a mission project of the Rappahannock District of the United Methodist Women, many of whom belong to The IOKDS’ York River Circle in Gloucester, VA. Contact: Nan Pointer, 804-693-2317, npointer52@aol.com; Dot Daniel, 804-693-7681; or Dr. Narinder Arora, 434-971-9696, nsarora@iqworks.net.
Dorothy F. Daniel, Virginia NAI Chairperson
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