How this Mansfield doctor helped a free health care clinic serve patients amid COVID
Dr. Darin Charles has his own primary care practice but he dedicates a lot of his energy to serving patients for free.
Charles, who owns Hometown Health, has been a leader and a volunteer with Mansfield Mission’s Linda Nix free clinic for about a year.
He has helped the clinic set up telemedicine for the coronavirus pandemic and grow its volunteer base, Executive Director Carmin MacMillan said.
That introduction of telemedicine to the clinic has been vital to the doctors and patients, MacMillan said, with many patients being uncomfortable with the idea of leaving their home to see the doctor.
His work with the clinic to help low-income and uninsured patients amid the pandemic makes Charles a true Hometown Hero, said MacMillan, who nominated Charles for recognition in the Star-Telegram series.
Hometown Heroes is sponsored by Lockheed Martin, which is providing $1,000 each to the 28 people selected by the Star-Telegram to be featured in the weekly series.
Charles’ telemedicine initiative has helped the clinic continue to see patients and help provide care for those with chronic issues, such as diabetes or blood pressure complications. But MacMillan said his attitude toward the clinic and its patients is just as important.
“Dr. Charles is so very warm and also spends a lot of time with the patients,” MacMillan said. “When our patients come they really feel heard and listened to. They don’t feel rushed. That’s one of our priorities and it’s one of Dr. Charles’ too.”
Mansfield Mission provides food, health care, dental care, vision services and financial support to Mansfield’s lower-income community. It’s been around since 1976, when it was a part of First Methodist Mansfield.
The free clinic works with about 40 doctors who volunteer their time. Some of them come in once a month, others more often.
All of them, like Charles, have their own practice. They’ve all helped keep the free clinic going even as they navigate the changing landscape of health care during the pandemic, but MacMillan said Charles has been an especially strong and innovative leader in the group.
Charles said his faith as a Christian gives him a passion for helping people, no matter their financial status.
“I have a service-oriented approach of what to do and that comes from my faith, I believe, and that gives me the motivation to do what I do,” Charles said.
He tries to reflect that service-oriented attitude in his practice.
Hometown Health is a direct care provider, meaning he doesn’t deal with insurance. He offers memberships for his practice, charging a monthly or annual fee that covers all costs. For families, $450 a month or $5,000 a year gets you a membership. That membership can be had for $165 a month or $1,800 annually for individuals.
He said this allows his patients to afford health care without paying high insurance premiums and high deductibles.
Mansfield Mayor David Cook said Charles’ medical expertise and participation in the Mansfield Churches For the City advisory council has been essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. His advice has helped influence public policy within the city.
“He’s always ready and willing to jump in and lend a hand in whatever way is necessary,” Cook said. “As the mayor of Mansfield I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Charles for the service he does for the people in Mansfield, especially the less fortunate.”
Charles said he doesn’t think he deserves too much attention and that the credit for continuing to help patients during the pademic should go to the Mansfield Mission and the clinic doctors who have continued to volunteer their time, whether in person or through telemedicine.
To nominate a hometown hero
To nominate someone to be featured in the Hometown Heroes series, go to star-telegram.com/nominate.
This story was originally published August 30, 2020 at 5:45 AM.