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Welcome Patients

Mission Statement

SWMC, by God's grace and following the example of Jesus Christ, strives to be a distinctive role model and leader in the integration of medical care, Christian witness and missions.

Learn more about Southwestern Medical Clinic

Team Haiti...

In March of 2010, Southwestern Medical Clinic Foundation sponsored a medical team from the area to provide medical care at the Dessalines Hospital and the surrounding communities in Haiti. The team called themselves "Team Haiti" and consisted of six individuals from the local area: Frederick Johansen, MD; Ronald Baker, MD; Keith VanOosterhout, MD; Richard Watson, MA, LLP, LPC; Christie Case, RN; and John Koller, PTA. Team members are pictured at left with the exception of Rich Watson. Jim Kroeze, DO is in the picture and is planning to lead a second team in the fall. The team took medical supplies, medicines and donations made through the SWMC Foundation to pay for the medical care of individuals unable to pay. Team members raised their own funds for their expenses so all donations made to "Help for Haiti" went directly to help the Haitian people.

Following are some quotes from team members about how the trip impacted their lives:

Dr. Baker was the team leader and has had many experiences with medical missions. He sums up the impact of the Haiti Team Trip as follows:

"We experienced the incredible opportunity to have a well-rounded, multi-talented medical team that served for a short time in Haiti - an even more desperately needy country since the Jan. 12th earthquake.

We had the privilege of working alongside Dr. Dan and Dee Ann Snyder, other Haitian medical workers, volunteers, pastors, chaplains, and administrators at Dessalines Hospital

We saw the devastation of the earthquake through the eyes of the Haitians

We saw God's hand at work in the lives of people devastated by the earthquake and experienced their continued faith and hope in Him.

We saw and experienced God's love to His people and once again realized how incredibly blessed we are in the United States!"

- Ron Baker, MD

"In John 17 : 20-22 Christ prays that future believers will show the Glory of God......the Haitian believers did that in the background of incredible devastation....and our team was fortunate to have been there. "

- Rick Johansen, MD

"I feel so blessed to have gone to Haiti. I went to give and received so much more in return. The people were so gracious and grateful. I fell in love with every one of them. I would go again in a heartbeat!"

- Christie Case, RN

John took a hair cutting tool to Haiti and showed one of the locals how to use it to cut hair. This will enable the individual to earn money with the tools John gave him. John’s quote is "Give a man a haircut and he looks good for a day. Teach a man how to cut other peoples' hair and hope he can help feed his family for a lifetime."

- John Koller, PTA

"Having the privilege to meet some of the victims of the earthquake, my heart was deeply moved as they shared their individual stories and experiences. As a counselor, I was uncertain what to expect from a cultural perspective as well as managing the language barrier. I soon learned the value of careful listening and patiently allowing them time to express the meaning behind their tears, sleeplessness, homelessness, and physical pain.

Without a doubt countless Haitians continue to grieve tremendous life and physical loss. I am so honored to have been chosen to be a small part of this team helping facilitate care and support to these precious souls. As many of the Haitians expressed upon our departure, please tell the American people to continue to pray for our nation and please send more people to help us. May we be faithful in doing that! Thank you to SWMC Foundation and Team Haiti for their support and sending us to Dessalines Haiti."

- Rich Watson, MA, LPC, LLP

"Back pain was a frequent complaint of the Haiti patients who sought medical care. It seemed somewhat deflating to have traveled 3000 miles to treat what is usually a mundane problem. My outlook was changed when I asked one woman how she injured her back. She replied that she hurt it trying to pull her friend out of a collapsed building. Pain takes on a different meaning in this context: we call this "total pain"- physical, spiritual, existential. The pain is a constant reminder of her trapped friend, and her inability to help her friend. The team treats these problems: the medical personnel address the physical component, and our counselors and chaplains help with the hopelessness felt by virtually all Haitians. It was an honor to be part of a Christian team, and to help support these people during their grief."

- Keith VanOosterhout, MD

Southwestern Medical Clinic and Lakeland HealthCare Join Forces...

In March, Southwestern Medical Clinic and Lakeland HealthCare aligned to form a single organization to provide health services in Southwestern Michigan. Located in offices throughout Berrien County, Southwestern Medical Clinic is a multispecialty medical practice with more than 70 physicians and 25 other providers in specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, general surgery, infectious disease, critical care/pulmonary, hospitalist, public health, and physical therapy.

By working together, Lakeland HealthCare and Southwestern Medical Clinic will streamline the health care delivery system to provide more efficient care at optimal value. For instance, the organizations are collaborating on electronic medical records that allow Lakeland hospitals and Southwestern Medical Clinic offices to share patient information.

"Lakeland and Southwestern Medical Clinic each have a long tradition of putting patients and the community first," said John Froggatt, III MD, President of Southwestern Medical Clinic. "Southwest Michigan families can be confident that they will continue to have access to the best possible health services, close to home."

Stevensville Walk-In Clinic Welcomes Jennifer Piller, PA-C...

Jennifer Piller, PA-C joins Southwestern Medical Clinic in the Stevensville Walk-In Clinic located at 5515 Cleveland Avenue. Jennifer is a certified Physician Assistant and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. The Walk-In Clinic accepts patients without appointments, treating urgent illness and injuries that are NOT life threatening. For routine physicals, immunizations, and gynecological exams you'll need to schedule an appointment with your regular physician.

Help for Haiti...

SnyderD Dr. Dan Snyder with his wife and son were in Haiti when the earthquake struck. Fortunately all are safe and are working with the Southwestern Medical Clinic Foundation to get help for Haiti in the most effective way. Dr. Snyder has been working in Haiti since 1996 and has been associated with Southwestern Medical Clinic since 2003.

All funds for the "Help for Haiti" project through the SWMC Foundation will go toward the Dessalines Rural Health Care Project and Kings Hospital relief efforts in Haiti. The entire amount of your donation will go directly toward relief efforts in Haiti.

Dessalines Hospital is about 90 miles north of Port-au-Prince and is where Dr. Snyder primarily works when in Haiti. He also works with Kings Hospital in Port-au-Prince near the airport. Both hospitals are up and running but short on staff and supplies. Many of the injured are being transferred to Dessalines Hospital.

See additional information and pictures below.

Donate Electronically:

Donate via US Mail:

Make checks payable to SWMC Foundation
The foundation is a non-profit organization
Include your name, address, phone number and email address so we can send you a receipt for your taxes
Send the donation and your information to:

Southwestern Medical Clinic Foundation
8008 M-139
Berrien Springs, MI 49103

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The Dessalines Rural Health Care Project, otherwise known as the DRHP or in country (Haiti) as the Claire Heureuse Hospital, is a 50 bed multiservice hospital located in the Artibonite Valley 90 miles north of Port-au-Prince. It is one of 9 outlying public health centers located in the Artibonite Valley and serves a population of roughly 250,000 people.

It is staffed by an all National staff of 87 employees and 5 National doctors led by Dr. Johnny Fequiere. The hospital has surgical, obstetrical, pediatric and general medicine services, an inpatient and outpatient pharmacy and associated ancillary services of a basic laboratory, X-ray and ultrasound. They can also perform electrocardiograms and upper endoscopy.

The DRHP sees approximately 25,000 outpatients during the year, has approximately 1350 deliveries per year, completes minor and major general surgical procedures and overseas a Public Health program promoting HIV care, pre-natal care, vaccinations and nutrition programs.

The Mission Statement of the DRHP is to "Heal, Teach to prevent illness and Evangelize". According to Dr. Snyder, "Most people arriving at our hospital are not able to pay. Some patients arriving have been injured in the earthquake and others will simply have lost everything in the quake and will not be able to pay for their care. The Dessalines Hospital is considered as a refuge and is anticipating a continued increase in the number of patients as people are leaving Port-au-Prince."

Prior to the earthquake the average patient paid $3 for a physician consultation, $2 for a lab test, $10 for an ultrasound, $15 per day for a hospitalization, $50 for a delivery, $300 for a C-section and $250 for an operation for something like a hernia (approximate costs). With the devastation and loss of life in the country, many patients do not have the resources to pay for medical treatment.

The Mission and Vision statement of the hospital includes treating all comers in the Name of Christ…regardless of ability to pay. The people of Haiti need our support and help. Dr. Snyder said, "I always go back to the picture of a single patient lying in bed with an IV in their arm, receiving medication for treatment of typhoid or malaria or maybe recovering from a surgical procedure with their family at their side patiently waiting for the day their family member is well and able to leave healthy once again. This picture keeps me going when things seem overwhelming. I see myself lying in that bed…feeling very grateful that someone is helping me. And I think that must please the Lord."

Donations made through the SWMC Foundation will be used to help pay for the medical treatment for patients that are unable to pay and for medical equipment and supplies to treat and heal the Haitian people. All of the money donated through the SWMC Foundation for "Help for Haiti" will go directly to help the people of Haiti, administrative costs will be absorbed by Southwestern Medical Clinic.

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SWMC Team goes to Tenwek in Kenya...

Tenwek_Team-1 Southwestern Medical Clinic is sending a team of doctors to Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, Africa in 2010. We are helping to provide coverage so that the long-term missionary staff may attend an educational conference provided by the Christian Medical and Dental Association at Brackenhurst, Kenya. It will be a great opportunity for fellowship and spiritual renewal for those doctors participating.

The first group from SWMC will be staying at Tenwek for a month. It consists of three families: Drs. Dan and Suzanne Hayward, IM/FP (and their 4 boys), Dr. Sam Emerson, IM/Hospitalist and his wife Jennifer (with their 2 boys), and Dr. Chris Harvey, Pediatrics, and his wife Jana (along with their 3 girls). The second group will be staying at Tenwek for about 2 weeks. It consists of Dr. Mike Chupp, general surgeon (long-term missionary at Tenwek), Dr. Karen Zienert, OB-GYN, Dr. Jim Burczak (an orthopedic surgeon, from St. Joseph but not part of SWMC), Warren White, Administration, and his wife Marcy, and Tony Anderson (respiratory therapist from Lakeland). The teams would appreciate your prayers for ministering to the patients at Tenwek, safety as we travel, health for the team, that we will be a blessing to the long-term Tenwek missionaries, and ultimately that we will bring glory to God in all we say and do. Members from both teams will be available when they return to share their experience. Please contact Carolyn Philip at 269-429-1700 to schedule a time.

St. Joseph Women's Specialties...

Women's Specialties welcome Terrie Lemley, CNM and Leslie Meneguzzo, CNM. Women's Specialties is located at 3950 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph and provides comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology services, 3D/4D ultrasound, bone density testing, menopausal transition, inpatient and outpatient surgery.

New General Surgeon at Southwestern Medical Clinic....

Dr. Elizabeth Knefelkamp has joined our Surgical Specialties practice at 3950 Hollywood Road, Suite 100 in Saint Joseph as a General Surgeon. Her special interests include minimally invasive surgery and surgical oncology including breast care.

She enjoys being active in her church in Bible Study and choir. In her spare time she also enjoys hiking and camping.