By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The uninsured and underinsured of the region have a new place to turn for medical treatment, and they have, of all things, the current state of the economy to thank for it.

Local nurse practitioners Shona Lawrence and Shamika White opened the doors to Riverside Primary Healthcare Associates this week with the aim of helping the medically underserved members of the community.

“We’ve been on both sides of the fence,” said Lawrence.

White added, “It was pretty tough.”

The pair said during their years spent in nursing, they discovered that when money is tight, healthcare is one of the first things to fall by the wayside.

“If people don’t have money, they’re not going to go,” said Lawrence.

Those without insurance who seek treatment at the clinic will pay a flat fee of $50 to see a doctor. Additional tests may increase the price, but the nurses’ goal is to ensure fees never exceed $100.

“We created a routine screening that will only cost $30,” said Lawrence.

The screening checks for diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, heart disease and many other common afflictions.

The seeds for the new clinic were planted while the two women were still nursing students. Both Lawrence and White obtained nursing degrees from the LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans.

“We were talking about how we wanted to open a clinic and help people who don’t have access to too much healthcare,” said Lawrence.

But career and the everyday responsibilities of life in general forced the dream onto the backburner until recently. The experienced nurses found themselves without jobs and decided to make their dream a reality a little sooner than expected.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the clinic, Rev. Chris Janeau said while blessing the facility, “To be a blessing to the community is what I believe these two ladies are aspiring to do.”

St. John Parish President Natalie Robottom said the ladies were an asset to the community in more ways than one.

“You’re not just going after money. You’re going after the people that need (healthcare) the most,” she said, adding, “Small businesses in the community help keep St. John Parish going.”

Riverside Primary Healthcare Associates is located at 501 Rue de Sante, Suite 3, in LaPlace across the street from River Parishes Hospital. For more information, call 985-224-8937 or 985-224-8943.