Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas volunteers while training for Olympic gold and earning her master’s degree.

By Noah Smith
First published on August 1, 2024 by Direct help

Austin, Texas, was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States from 2010 to 2022 and is now one of the 10 largest cities in the United States. But growth has not benefited all residents.

“It’s a tale of two Austins,” said Marci Roe, executive director of the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic. The Volunteer Healthcare Clinic (VHC) is a free clinic in Austin that has been caring for the area’s most vulnerable residents since it was founded by a church group in 1966. This makes it the oldest active charity clinic in the city, treating about 1,000 patients each year.

Like many free and charitable clinics, VHC relies on volunteers. About 400 people work there every year, one of whom is Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas.

Thomas, a gold medal contender at the Paris Olympics who is scheduled to compete in the 200-meter dash on August 4, first contacted the clinic by email while training for the Tokyo Olympics and pursuing her now-completed master’s degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas. (Thomas won the gold medal in the 200-meter dash and the 4×100 relay.)

“Who I am off the track has always been my number one priority,” Thomas said in an interview with olympics.com. “Track is an added bonus. I love it. I think that’s an important attitude that all athletes should have: Sport doesn’t define who you are,” she said. A representative for Thomas declined Direct Relief’s interview request, citing the proximity of the Games.

The safety net of the safety net

“In Austin, we are so wealthy; we have universities and politicians and the capital city, and then there’s another Austin where people are struggling to feed themselves with basic necessities. They have to make difficult decisions,” Roe said.

Since their inception, numerous federal and state programs—such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Texas and the Affordable Care Act—as well as the expansion of Federally Qualified Health Care clinics have attempted to reduce barriers to health care for low-income people in the United States. This has led some to believe that the need for free clinics will diminish.

However, “there have always been people” who need free clinics, Roe said, citing the constant influx of patients to VHC. Many come from neighboring counties where the cost of living in Austin is prohibitive due to economic realities.

“We are the safety net of safety net clinics. We’re where you go when you’re sick, have no insurance, no money to pay… we have the hardest working patients anywhere, but the cost of living here is very high,” she said.

Since the pandemic, patients visiting the clinic have been “much sicker,” Roe said. While before Covid-19, patients mostly came for a single illness, today it is much more common for them to have multiple complaints.

“They only seek help when their lives are really at stake,” she says. “The medication is simply too expensive.”

A commitment to care

The Volunteer Healthcare Clinic places a strong emphasis on the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. For patients with diabetes, local retina specialists and optometrists provide screenings and offer appointments and care when needed to save patients’ vision.

People with diabetes can also work with nutritionists and pharmacists to learn about diabetes and how to control the disease.

VHC’s other specialties include dermatology, mental health, pediatrics and women’s health. While a $10 donation is encouraged, no one is turned away due to inability to pay. For patients whose needs are not met by these services, VHC connects them with other clinics, including FQHCs, programs and support networks in the area.

For its own patients, VHC also aims to find them a permanent care facility. “We are not designed to be a permanent medical facility for someone indefinitely,” Roe said.

While patients are being treated at the clinic, they benefit from individual care and attention, including from Thomas himself. The Olympic athlete calls patients individually to encourage them to keep their appointments, monitor their blood pressure, and follow any other instructions given by the doctor. Thomas also follows up with clinic patients to find out if their experience with medical care is positive and if they are able to keep their appointments.

Thomas also got her sponsor New Balance to donate over 100 pairs of shoes to patients to encourage patients to stay active and boost their morale.

“She wants to make people’s lives better. She’s so kind, funny and cool. She helped almost weekly for about a year and a half,” Roe said.

As Austin continues to grapple with the impacts of rapid growth and socioeconomic inequalities, VHC remains committed to closing gaps in health care access.

“Our care is incredible, with our doctors, nurses, students and all the volunteers donating their time and medical expertise. Even if you don’t have insurance or money to see a doctor but still need care, we will still treat you,” Roe said.

Direct Relief has provided over $350,000 in medical support to the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic in Austin since 2011.