Marietha’s motto is “never wait for later.” If she can do something today, why wait for tomorrow? As Arlington Free Clinic’s Appointment Scheduler/Superwoman, Marietha does it all, and always with the intention of immediately fulfilling patients’ requests as she receives them, so as to maintain their well-being over all else.
As Arlington Free Clinic’s Appointment Scheduler, Marietha receives patients’ phone calls requesting appointments, and answers their general questions about the services we provide. She also is the first person that prospective patients talk to about the Clinic, and guides people through the steps in the process to becoming a patient.
Another important aspect of Marietha’s work at AFC is her management of our new dental program. This program only started a year ago, and the fact that AFC has given over 1,000 appointments in the first year of operations is all thanks to Marietha’s dedication to the program’s success. Marietha’s personal involvement in each and every patient’s journey from the Clinic to our off-site dental chair has strengthened both the program and AFC’s relationship with its patients. It is worth mentioning that Marietha’s expertise in this area comes from her experience with coordinating AFC’s participation in Mission of Mercy’s annual two-day free dental clinic for all (a one-day opportunity for about 100 of our patients – and hundreds of others from the region – to receive a pro bono cleaning, filling or extraction); a job that she has managed for the past thirteen years. Could we say that Marietha is Arlington Free Clinic’s tooth fairy?
In addition, Marietha helps with administrative bills and translates into Spanish pharmacy presentations for patients. Another thing that Marietha is especially proud of is her initiative to collect small donations for AFC from patients. Marietha saw an opportunity for patients to help each other in health and contribute what they could to their care, and because of this, today there is a greater sense of community amongst the patients.
While Marietha gives so much time and energy to Arlington Free Clinic, at 72-years-young she also finds time to do what she loves: taking belly dancing and guitar lessons, and spending time with her two daughters, her granddaughter, and her grandson. There seems to be nothing Marietha can’t do, and AFC is grateful for her warm smiles and continued dedication to the Clinic.
-Allysen, Summer Development Intern