Clinic to Reopen at Mission

Thanks to a 2-year grant from the Johnson and Johnson Company, in partnership with Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, the Navajo Lutheran Mission Clinic will re-open its doors to the Rock Point community this summer.

The Mission began its work in Rock Point in 1954, with the building of a small clinic and nurses’ residence. The building was used to attend to patients, house nurses, and even set-up for church services on Sundays. As the Mission grew, the small clinic expanded into a 2 bed hospital, and for over 40 years served the medical needs of the community. Thanks to a devoted Nurse, Elsie Benson, who worked at the clinic for over 25 of those years, many people were given needed medical treatment. The building was named Benson Hall after the nurse who did so much for the community. The clinic closed about 10 years ago due to lack of funding, and part of the building is now the Mission Thrift Shop.

With the help of Johnson and Johnson, the clinic will reopen in June of 2008. Because Rock Point is close to 50 miles from the nearest health services, the Mission will provide basic health care to residents who find it difficult to travel the distance to see a doctor. It will serve as a Health Care and Health Education Center, and patients will be seen by a qualified nurse. Volunteer doctors will also be available on a scheduled basis. The nurse will work with the community in planning health fairs and workshops, distributing health education materials and working with community representatives in determining health needs of the population.

Please support us with your prayers, time, and donations as we work to create a successful and blessed service for the Navajo of the Rock Point area!

If you are a doctor in Arizona and are interested in volunteering time to the Clinic on a regular basis, please contact the Executive Director.