In
these days of managed care, physicians' forms, insurance labyrinths
and costly treatments, it's nice to know that someone is looking out
for the little guy.
Dr. Dea Campbell, an emergency room doctor in Chillicothe, realized
that many people were coming to the emergency room in her area for
treatment for colds and minor ailments because there were no other
medical services available on nights and weekends—a practice
that clogged emergency room waiting areas and drove up the cost of
routine care.
Dea's idea was to start a weekend clinic that is open from Thursday
evening through Sunday evening to take care of the folks who cannot
easily leave work to see the doctor. She partnered with another doctor
to use her office in the evenings. However, she also needed $20,000
to help with working capital since her practice was growing quickly
and insurance payments took forever to make their way through the
system. Dea heard about the Chillicothe Small Business Development
Center's services from another healthcare professional and called
for assistance. She met with Jeanne Dau.
Together Dea and Jeanne arrived at the idea to approach the City
of Chillicothe rather than the banks to help finance the deal. The
SBDC assisted with the business plan and met with the city's finance
committee on behalf of the doctor to secure a low-interest loan. The
city was very interested in helping develop this community service
and upon council's approval, awarded Dea the loan.
Grace Weekend Clinic opened in November 2001 and has since moved
to a separate office space at 514 Park Lane. The clinic employs six
people including a nurse practitioner. About 75 percent of the clinic's
clients are Medicaid patients. The demand has been overwhelming. Dea
has expanded the clinic's hours and services and is currently seeking
Rural Health Clinic status, which would enable financial assistance
for the doctors helping this underserved population.
Jeanne has been inspired by Dea's success. "They amaze me,"
Jeanne says. "Medicaid is very slow to pay. Yet, they have succeeded
without that quick payment turnaround."
Dea feels the same way. "I didn't know where to go or what to do,"
she says. "Jeanne has been just great!"
Grace Weekend Clinic
Dr. Dea Campbell
417 Park Lane
Chillicothe, Missouri 64601
660-646-3400
660-646-3410 fax
gwcinc@cmuonline.net
Manufacturer
- A.M. Pyrotechnics LLC of Buffalo - produces fireworks and choreographs professional pyrotechnics displays
- Billy Goat Industries of Lee's
Summit - manufacturer of outdoor power equipment
- Eyes of the World of Rolla - manufacturer of high-quality intraocular lenses for humans and animals
- ISW Group, Inc., of St. Louis - manufacturer of a skin-care product for
African Americans suffering with dermatological problems
- The Newberry Group of St. Louis - developer of computer security systems
- Patric Chocolate of Columbia - gourmet chocolate maker
- Pogue Label and Screen of St. Louis - a specialist in printing labels on plastic containers
- Sigma Aldrich of St. Louis -
chemical manufacturer
- TechGuard Security of Chesterfield - provider of information network security products
- X-Com, Inc. of Warrensburg, - produces digital communications hardware and software for the Navy and other commercial applications and products
Professional, Scientific and Technical Service
- Aegis Business Solutions LLC of Kansas City -
offers solutions to business problems in information technology
- Brick City Custom Works of Mexico - custom motorcycle repair and service shop
- Gaskin, Hill, Norcross of
Springfield - developer of a text messaging system
- Global Solutions Group of Fenton - network solutions, IT telephone and
systems management firm
- H2O Technical Services, Inc., of Springfield, a provider of integrated water treatment services and applications
- Hammer Collections of Springfield - employs computer software and information technology to resolve and prevent payment delinquencies
- InnovaPrep LLC of Drexel - developing technology to aid detection systems for biodefense, medical diagnostics, food and beverage industries
- Language Solutions, Inc. of St. Louis - specializing in translation technology and multi-lingual communications services to assist other businesses reach a global market
- Logistical Resource Solutions of St. Louis - storage and inventory control
- Lytmos Group LLC of Lee's Summit - provides peer review and grants management support to organizations that sponsor high technology R&D
- Mobile Media Technologies, LLC of Kansas Ciy - wireless communications
- Nanoparticle BioChem Inc. of Columbia - research and production of nanoparticle-based products
- Nanova, Inc. of Columbia - researching biomaterials, materials, composites and medical devices to develop more reliable medical devices
- NEMS/MEMS Works LLC of Columbia - engineering researchers developing early-stage prototypes of nanotechnology delivery devices to target drug applications in patients with life-threatening conditions
- OsteoGeneX of Kansas City - drug research and biotech commercialization
- Paternity Testing Corporation of Columbia - forensic investigations, DNA profiling
and parental identification
- PureFlow Technologies Inc. of Jefferson City - produces and markets a diesel engine fuel efficiency device
- P/Strada, LLC, of Kansas City - a
consultant in bio-terrorism and homeland security
- QM Power Inc. of Greenwood - developing magnetic force control technology
- Sign Designs of Joplin - designs and manufactures custom signs for large corporations and small businesses
- Technology and Networking of Cape Girardeau - computer technology and telecommunications sales and services
- The Vacation Channel of
Branson - independent TV station providing tourism info
- Westinn Kennels of St. Charles
- canine boarding and training facility
- Wren Associates, Ltd. of Jefferson
City - provider of retail fraud detection systems
|
|
|
Visit the current Featured Entrepreneur
