MedShare Partners with Texas Clinic to Increase Access to OBGYN Care
In a state with the highest rate of uninsured residents, ultrasound donation enhances lifesaving prenatal care for underserved patients
Smaller, underfunded free and charitable clinics in the U.S. often face significant challenges when it comes to raising funds to support their work. That is especially true for big ticket items such as biomedical equipment. So, it isn’t surprising to see many of them take to social media in hopes of raising the funds necessary to acquire the essential resources they need to provide quality care.
That’s precisely how MedShare’s partnership with My Direct Obstetric Care (My DOC) in Corpus Christi, Texas, was born.
Dr. Esther Khatabi, founder of My DOC, had reached out to her community seeking support to help the clinic purchase a new ultrasound machine. The clinic had been struggling without a functioning unit, hindering their ability to provide essential diagnostic services to their patients.
It wasn’t long before MedShare, recognizing the urgent need, reached out to help. After determining which model would meet My DOC’s specific needs, the clinic was equipped with a fully functional ultrasound machine.
According to Dr. Khatibi, “I am so happy to share this good news with our staff, donors, patients and community. The ultrasound and transducers from MedShare will dramatically increase our diagnostic capabilities, and the versatility of the tool can support various medical specialties, including cardiology, vascular medicine, obstetrics, and gynecology.”
My DOC, a member of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit clinic that provides evidence-based obstetric care to women, regardless of their social, religious, ethnic, or economic backgrounds. The clinic’s mission is centered on reducing perinatal adverse outcomes and mortality by providing early, individualized obstetric care to the most vulnerable populations in the region. However, the lack of a working ultrasound posed a significant challenge. For many women, particularly those without insurance, access to timely and comprehensive prenatal care is critical to ensuring the health of both mother and child. Texas has one of the highest uninsured rates in the nation, and many women receive prenatal care too late, increasing the risk of complications and poor health outcomes.
Ultrasound technology is vital for early detection of pregnancy-related issues and conditions that could affect both the mother and the fetus. For My DOC, having a working ultrasound is essential for diagnosing a wide range of gynecological and obstetric conditions, including uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and issues that may arise during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, ectopic pregnancy, or fetal growth restrictions. An ultrasound also helps determine due dates with greater accuracy and plays a crucial role in the early identification of potential complications, allowing for timely interventions that can save lives.
This partnership with MedShare underscores the crucial role that nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, and community-driven initiatives play in addressing the systemic gaps in healthcare access. Through this collaboration, MedShare is helping to ensure that My DOC’s patients receive the best possible care—care that could prevent avoidable health complications and ultimately help save lives.
MY DOC MISSION
Our mission is to provide high quality, affordable, evidence based obstetric care to all women regardless of their social, religious, ethnic or economic background. We are committed to reducing perinatal adverse outcomes and mortality by providing individualized early obstetric care to the most vulnerable populations within our community.
