In an effort to elevate the physical and spiritual well-being of a community in need, Dr. Josh Priddle of The Clinic recently traveled on a mission trip to Dominican Republic.

“I have felt called to serve in medical missions, even before I went to school to be a doctor,” said Priddle, who specializes in Sports Medicine for The Clinic. “I read an autobiography of Bill Wallace, a surgeon who did medical missions in China, and I believe that book was used by God to change my career path. This is the reason I went into medicine in the first place – to share the love of Jesus by helping meet physical needs through medicine.”

The mission trip to Dominican Republic was sponsored by Priddle’s church, and The Clinic donated about 75 percent of the healthcare supplies used at the pop-up clinic there. Priddle, with the help of a local Dominican physician, examined 133 patients in six hours ranging from months old to patients in their middle 90’s. Not surprisingly, Priddle found different healthcare needs than those more commonly seen back home.

“The majority of patients I treated did not have the typically chronic diseases that we see here in America,” Priddle said. “They generally weighed less, had great cardiovascular fitness, and didn’t suffer from hypertension – except for a few. I didn’t see many cases of diabetes, but they had different issues such as fungal and parasite infections that we don’t see here as often. I did, however, encounter flu-like symptoms similar to what we see here.”

Priddle said his pastor, Brad Graves, has been organizing the mission trip for a couple of years. Priddle was able to bring his wife and son, who celebrated his 11th birthday while there. The group was also joined by fellow church member and Chickasaw Nation pharmacist Randy Steers, who distributed over-the-counter medications that were purchased primarily from The Clinic.

“The poorest have access to free, socialized care,” Priddle said. “However, most of them still end up paying out-of-pocket for medical supplies and various services. We worked in the poor villages of southern Dominican Republic, where people live in shacks that are not as nice as many of the barns are here. There’s a huge need for God and medical services there.”

Despite the abject conditions, Priddle said he was very impressed by how friendly and kind the Dominicans were throughout his visit.

“They welcomed us and I don’t think it was just because we were there to help,” he said. “They are a genuinely joyful people.”

When not working, Priddle and his family were able to enjoy historical Santo Domingo, where Christopher Columbus reportedly first landed and also home to the first hospital in the Americas. He said he especially enjoyed quietly studying his Bible on the roof of the hotel as he watched the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean.

Now back to work at The Clinic, Priddle brought home with him an appreciation of all walks of life and a resolution to help with any healthcare challenges he meets.

“I believe God has called me to a life of service and to help others – wherever and whenever I am needed,” he said.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Priddle or any of The Clinic’s providers, please call (580) 436-5111.

The Clinic @ Central Oklahoma Family Medical Center, or “The Clinic,” is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) meeting a stringent set of requirements, including care services on a sliding-fee scale based on federal poverty guidelines. Governed by a board of directors, including patient directors, The Clinic remains thoroughly invested in the needs of patients and its service areas. The Clinic currently operates in four Oklahoma communities – Konawa, Ada, Stratford, and Seminole. To learn more about The Clinic, The Women’s Clinic and The Kids Clinic, please visit www.cofmc. com.