Shepherd’s Hand brings medical outreach to Flathead Warming Center

Aiming to further its mission to improve the health of those in need, Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic has begun a weekly medical outreach clinic at the Flathead Warming Center.

The clinic focuses on foot and wound care treatment, Shepherd’s Hand notes, as foot conditions are a significant concern among homeless individuals.

Shepherd’s Hand is a Whitefish nonprofit organization that uses volunteers to provide free clinic services to those who cannot access health care. The Flathead Warming Center is a nonprofit shelter that provides overnight lodging.

Katy Krezowski, registered nurse and Director of Clinical Services for Shepherd’s Hand, manages the new program.

“Untreated foot conditions can lead to more complicated health concerns, such as ulcers, or exacerbate factors related to diabetes, neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disease – all of which can become debilitating for these individuals,” Krezowski notes.

For many staying at the Warming Center, their feet are their main mode of transportation, or they work in jobs that require a lot of standing. Properly fitting shoes can alleviate knee and back pain, and Shepherd’s Hand will provide fresh socks, insoles, and specialized shoes when needed which is instrumental for many of these folks, Krezowski notes.

Tonya Horn, executive director of the Flathead Warming Center, praises the partnership between the two organizations.

“As we come together, we can better support those in need,” she said. “Homelessness is a complex issue, and it takes strong community partnerships to provide wrap-around services. Shepherd's Hand Free Clinic is an incredible partner as we all work together to provide individuals and families with the tools and resources needed to move beyond homelessness."

Shepherd’s Hand volunteers for the outreach clinic are made up of medical providers, podiatrists, and nurses. Foot care can be as simple as a soak and nail trim, or can provide more comprehensive treatment of other conditions, such as corns, frostbite, ingrown toenails, and infection.

Dr. Dan Munzing, a Shepherd’s Hand volunteer, said that though medical care is beneficial, the greatest impact is the connection made with the people at the Warming Center and hearing their stories.

“For some, it is the story of hardship, failure, rejection, loneliness, loss and illness,” he said in a release. “For others, it is the story of hope, faith, transformation, and recovery.”

“The process of trimming someone’s toenails, dressing their wounds or washing their feet offers an opportunity for connection and healing,” he adds. “An opportunity for someone to know that they have value and worth and that somebody sees them as a unique, precious individual”.

Shepherd’s Hand volunteers also assess additional medical concerns outside of their scope of care and can provide guidance on where and how to receive the proper assistance.