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Highlands Today

A Samaritan's Touch

Jesse Osbourne/Highlands Today

Dr. Luis M. Pena, medical director at Samaritan's Touch Care Center in Sebring, examines a patient Wednesday afternoon.

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Sue Ann Carpenter

Published: October 29, 2007

SEBRING –– Dr. Luis Peña took pride in his successful three-decade medical practice where he was known for taking care of people. And because the people of Highlands County showed faith in him, he's passing it on.

Born in Colombia, South America, Peña attended medical school in Spain. He trained at Ravenna and Cleveland, Ohio, and then specialized in internal medicine at Tulane in New Orleans. After graduation in 1976, he explored different areas to decide where to start his practice.

While at Tulane, he'd suffered from sinus and allergy problems, and his doctor suggested he find a better climate. On vacation in Florida, he stopped and visited a fellow doctor in Sebring. Peña discovered his sinuses had cleared and that he felt better.

"This place is what I'm looking for," he said.

After 31 years in private practice here, Peña retired. He and his wife, Carmen, are thankful for their success and blessings, especially the fact that all three of their children graduated from Sebring High School and are enjoying successful careers in computer science and accounting.

Vernon Harkey, pastor of First Baptist Church of Avon Park and Diana Furr, Executive Director of Samaritan's Touch Care Center (STCC), which opened in May 2007, approached Peña about being STCC's medical director.

"It was just what I was searching for," Peña said. By giving service for free, he feels it is the best way to say thanks and pay back the community for all that he's been given.

STCC is a clinic for medically-indigent families and individuals with no health insurance.

By Sept. 30, they had already provided patients with more than $233,000 in direct patient care at no charge. STCC saved local hospitals an estimated $1,250,000 in emergency room costs because people came to STCC for primary care instead of going to ERs.

Since May, Peña, an internal medicine specialist, has handled all kinds of patients with a variety of problems: Pediatric, obstetric, diabetic, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney dialysis, orthopedic, gastroenterology, cataracts, and infectious diseases.

"I call for help if we need to refer to a specialist, and everyone has been generous," Peña said.

Now Christian churches throughout the county –– Catholic, Union Congregational, Seventh-day Adventist, Tanglewood Community and others –– have joined in this community effort.

"Everyone from different faiths is working together for the benefit of our community," Peña said.

Florida Hospital supports Samaritan's Touch with grant funding, lab work and imaging services.

Tampa's Moffitt Center helps with cancer and biopsy referrals. A diagnostic procedure donated by gastroenterologist Dr. Sedat Ekici led to specialized surgery at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, saving a patient's life.

Dr. Patrick Carruthers has donated diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds. Highlands Regional Medical Center has donated lab work, pathology, stationery and appointment cards. Drs. Ron Sevigny, Terry Johnson, David Misch and Daniel Welch provide comprehensive eye care to patients.

Dr. Agustin Lacson treats infectious diseases, Dr. Thomas-Richards donates orthopedic care and Dr. Robert Midence will do colonoscopies.

"Charlie" Stroup is helping patients with counseling services. Heartland Pharmacy assists with the dispensary. Lincare gives medication for asthma/emphysema patients. SFCC and area dentists are working with Samaritan's Touch to develop a free dental clinic there. Dr. Percival Tamayo will assist whenever Peña is out of town.

Patients are urged to call first. There is a screening process to prove they are at or below 150 per cent of the federal poverty line. Efficiency is a priority and appointments are required because Peña operates with only two exam rooms and a single nurse practitioner, Sharon Childress.

Mondays and Wednesdays are full days with half days on Thursday and Friday for seeing approximately 70 patients per week.

More volunteers are needed. Plans are to be open on Saturdays and to stay open later in evenings to assist workers who can't get time off from work. Nurses, social service workers, doctors of all specialties, chaplains and administrative helpers are all welcome. Because there is property at the back of the clinic, Pena's future dream is that they might expand.

Samaritan's Touch is free. It's for people who have no other place to go.

"We believe in God and are Christian," Peña said.

All the volunteers live their Christian belief and treat each patient with respect and as though they were visiting their private physician. Although religious belief is not a requirement, Peña sees that patients are different when they leave.

"We take care of a person by using a winning combination: medicine and faith," he said.

Samaritan's Touch Care Center is located at 3015 Herring Avenue in Sebring (in front of Comcast). Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 471-1870.

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