Melvin Porter was raised in Memphis during the 60s and 70s and has worked around the country as a lawyer, teacher and even a tennis instructor.
After returning to his hometown of Memphis to raise his family and be a caregiver to his mother, he soon found himself in need of a better way to improve and maintain the health challenges he was facing.
Melvin’s daughter and former Church Health employee, Jeneba Winfrey-Porter, convinced him to visit Church Health for planned and unexpected health needs.
Through providers like Dr. Kirsten McKnight, he received new dentures and Dr. Veronica Swannigan, he received emergency care for a nail in his foot.
When Melvin suffered a spider bite from a brown recluse, his wound would not heal, causing his foot to turn black. Melvin was alarmed at the issue and came to Church Health.
Dr. Jennings said the challenge was Melvin’s diabetic condition possibly slowing recovery. Melvin developed several chronic health conditions which complicated healing.
“The most significant being type 2 diabetes mellitus requiring insulin for control which has resulted in several complications, the most significant being neuropathy or nerve damage,” Dr. Jennings said. “A brown recluse spider bite in anyone often may result in skin ulceration from the toxin in the bite, and diabetics are at higher risk for these wound complications.”
Dr. Jennings created an impactful health care plan for Melvin in collaboration with a dietitian and diabetic health coach. Melvin has discovered the joy of improved health through lifestyle changes.
“Working with patients like Mr. Porter, who are motivated to take charge of their own care in conjunction with advice from health professionals, makes for a good day in the clinic!” Dr. Jennings said.
Melvin’s discovery of how Church Health was not just “another medical facility,” inspired hope that he would be truly cared for.
“It’s a place that views the whole person, not just the patient,” Melvin added. “I figured you go in, pay your money, they see you, send you home and that’s it. Church Health has taken an interest in me as a person, They’re very welcoming, they’re very open, they’re very warm.”
What Melvin is most thankful for is how “Church Health just opened up and accepted me. That type of warm caring and concern shocked me. I would tell everybody, go to Church Health if you want a full whole-person health clinic.”
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