Back in the late 1990’s,
Dr. Timothy Henschel, a board-certified pediatrician, could never have envisioned
that Mercy Children’s Clinic would be the success it is today. A faith-based health
care facility, Mercy Children’s Clinic was born out of a vision of Henschel and
other leaders who believed that individuals, businesses and churches — not just
the government — should shoulder some of the responsibility for the care of uninsured
and underinsured children and for children on TennCare.
And so, in November 1999 Mercy Children’s Clinic found a home and began seeing patients.
Originally housed in a home at 116 Ninth Avenue South, Mercy now has five providers
on-staff and has served more than 5,000 different children in over 40,000 patient visits
since 1999.
Conceptually, Mercy Children’s Clinic is pretty revolutionary. Mercy has consistently
seen patients who are on TennCare in an environment where fewer and fewer providers are
accepting TennCare. TennCare patients make up a little over half of Mercy’s customers.
Furthermore, Mercy Children’s Clinic places a special emphasis on caring for the uninsured.
However, if you assume that Mercy Children’s Clinic is only for those on TennCare or without
insurance, you would be too quick to judge. Nearly 25% of all of Mercy’s patients are on commercial
insurance. For many parents, that mission is enough to lure them in. By using Mercy, they are
helping their uninsured or underinsured neighbors.
“People ask us, why do you accept commercial insurance. There are two main reasons that we
do: (1) Continuity of care…a family may not have insurance this year but next year they will.
It’s important that they have the choice to stay with the pediatrician that has been seeing
their child all along. (2) Support of our ministry…families come to us knowing that their
insurance dollars are helping to underwrite the care that we give to the uninsured community
which helps our ministry to be sustainable. Bottom line is that we want to be available to
care for families no matter what life’s circumstances brings their way.” Tim Henschel, MD, CEO
Finally, many families access Mercy Children’s Clinic because of it’s a faith-based status.
Parents are amazed to find doctors who will pray with them about treatment for their children.
Parents report that in this day and age of sterile healthcare and hurried doctor visits, they
find it refreshing that Mercy is there for the physical and spiritual needs of their children.
As in years past, the proceeds from the Franklin Classic play a vital role in supporting the
operating expenses of the clinic. Last year over 2,500 people participated in the event which
raised close to $85,000 for the ministry. Your participation in the 27th Annual Franklin Classic
will help to support Mercy Children’s Clinic and the work they are doing to care for families in
your community…especially those without health insurance or on TennCare. Thanks!
Mercy Children’s Clinic is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.
