Mount Pleasant Magazine Nov/Dec 2021

48 www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com | www. ReadMPM. com | www. I LoveMountPl easant . com feature “I wanted to become closer to the Creator,” she said. “And what better way to do that than by helping humanity? I wanted to learn more, to teach more and to use the talent the Creator gave me to be a blessing to those I serve.” Those who Dr. Khan and Shifa Free Clinic serve are life’s underserved, the poor, the indigent and the homeless. To qualify for help, a new Free Clinic patient must be uninsured and living below the poverty line determined by federal poverty guidelines, although it’s hard to imagine Khan turning away anyone in need who is just scraping by. She and her talented staff — all female as it turns out, though not by design — offer a wide range of medical services: primary care/OB-GYN, pediatric, dental, dermatology, ophthalmology and ultrasound. Shifa has its own dispensary for much-needed prescription medicines, including COVID-19 and other important vaccines, and also distributes both perishable and non-perishable foods to patients in need. On average, Shifa Free Clinic has 300-plus medical visits and serves 800 families every month and conducts Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, back to school giveaways and holiday season giveaways. “Our work has really been made possible by the Lowcountry community that has supported us,” she said. “We could not do this without the help of all the people who have become involved, our donors and our volunteers.” Among her many success stories: a man with an A1C blood glucose reading of 14 — a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis is 6.5 or higher — with proper medication and necessary lifestyle changes was able to return to a near-normal level and resume work and a fuller life. Khan also takes pride in the outcome for one pregnant young woman unable to afford a sonogram. Shifa arranged The team at Sh i f a Free Cl i n i c . Photo prov i ded by Sh i fa Free C l i n i c . Wor ker s at Sh i f a Free Cl i n i c he lp a l l ages . Photo prov i ded by Sh i fa Free C l i n i c .