HEART OF HOPE HEALTH – Where the Heart Matters
By Bob Shillingstad
There were meetings locally and throughout our state that were a direct result of the lockdowns and lack of caring for patients and families during the Covid spread. Relatives, pastors and priests could not see those who were sick and dying in the hospital. Churches and schools were prevented from opening and when they did open, the restrictions were illogical or inconsistent. Health freedom groups in North Idaho took action last fall. Desiring change, numerous health professionals met together and out of this a clinic was born. People were seeking a health care system that allowed the patient to collaborate with the doctor what interventions should be taken in their healthcare journey, based off of true science.
The Heart of Hope Health clinic was opened in early in 2022 and an open house kicked things off in February.
The Lord brought together Dr. Duke Johnson, Sonja Sisco, BSN, and Moriah Cason, BSN, RN-BC for the purpose of serving the PNW community as Heart of Hope Health ambassadors and leaders. Because of the generous support of the community and local churches, the clinic was opened in Hayden to serve the greater North Idaho region.
Dr. Duke Johnson, MD, has been interviewed on the Todd Herman show and other podcasts. This sparked communication from other physicians across the country interested in joining the clinic or wondering how to replicate the ministry elsewhere. Heart of Hope is now planning for a clinic in Sandpoint and will be hopefully opening it sometime this spring or early summer, with a physician who just moved to the area for the express purpose of joining Heart of Hope Health.
We have seen the government, insurance companies and bureaucrats take over our health care when in the past the relationship between patient and their physician was wrapped up in a faith that was built upon caring and not fear. Hospitals were named for their mission, Sacred Heart, Providence, Deaconess, Mt. Sinai, Presbyterian to name just a few. The mission of Heart of Hope Health is to return to a faith based, Christian, approach to medicine. Their mission statement declares the following:
“Heart of Hope Health is comprised of healthcare providers who are devoting their time and expertise with our community by providing exceptional personalized care. We desire to equip our patients with clinically proven immune support, educational tools, along with regular family healthcare designed for patients to be in control of their healthcare decisions. Working together we desire to save lives and bless hearts, thus giving people hope.”
Heart of Hope Health follows a model of direct primary care which means it is an alternative to fee-for-service insurance billing. They charge patients a monthly fee based on age with a maximum cost per family of $250. This covers physical exams, allergy plan, telehealth, simple laceration repair, school physicals, breathing treatments and other exams. They do also offer fee for service outside of the monthly membership. Heart of Hope Health is about focusing their attention, time, and effort on caring for their patients directly, without oversight from non-medical administrators, using evident-based guidelines individualized for the circumstance of each patient. This provides for more time with patients and longer visits to provide the time to really know them. It is also a simplified revenue structure, which decreases practice overhead and reduces administrative burden.
If you would like a tour of the clinic and initial consultation about Heart of Hope Health give them a call at 208-500-0601. The Covid virus destroyed and badly damaged so much of our social structure, including health care, and instilled fear instead of hope and faith. These are the first steps in restoring health care.
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” -Proverbs 17:22