The DEO Clinic will sponsor the fourth annual 5K Trail Run and Fun Walk on Saturday, Sept. 14.
The Hope, Health and Healing Trail Run will be at Haig Mill Lake Park and all proceeds will be used to continue and expand free healthcare services to the community.
Founded in 2005, the DEO Clinic is a local nonprofit providing free medical care to low-income, uninsured adults from Whitfield and Murray counties. With a small staff and more than 80 volunteers, DEO provided more than 3,800 appointments and labs in 2023. Much of the funding for the DEO Clinic comes from local individual donors and through local partnerships such as with the United Way.
DEO, in the Mack Gaston Community Center, has become a primary health provider since the high cost of healthcare excludes many people. The clinic offers consistent care, follow-up visits and help finding affordable medications. Some 80% of DEO patients have chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
The 2024 Trail Run will honor Dr. Carl Lancaster. During the last 40 years Lancaster has cared for thousands of diabetic patients in the community. He was one of the first specialist physicians to volunteer at DEO, coming to the clinic in 2016 when DEO had just hired its first director. Lancaster volunteered more than 400 hours at the DEO Clinic in the past year alone. Since DEO serves more than 300 diabetic patients, Lancaster’s expertise as a diabetes specialist is irreplaceable.
DEO’s volunteer coordinator, Martha Wassam, said, “Working with Dr. Lancaster is an absolute joy. Our diabetes patients are so lucky to have him. He has also treated non-diabetic patients when DEO is short-staffed. Carl is a living example of compassionate care. He is a real gift to DEO.”
Along with his unmatched medical knowledge, Lancaster employs a gentle spirit and a quick wit to put patients and co-workers at ease.
“Dr. Lancaster is a man of compassion, superior intellect and gravitas. Unassuming yet professorial, he cuts through the nonsense and has a singular focus — a patient’s best interest, period,” said colleague Dr. Rod Rodriguez. “He represents what we should all aspire to be as doctors and, more importantly, as human beings.”
Nurse Rebecca Odum said, “Dr. Lancaster is a very intelligent, compassionate doctor who readily gives of his time to help at the DEO Clinic. He also has a wonderful sense of humor.”
Dr. David Dennard said, “The DEO Clinic is very blessed to count Dr. Lancaster among its volunteer physicians. He has been a highly-respected member of Dalton’s medical community for many years. His genuine compassion and commitment to high-quality care set an example for all physicians to emulate.”
Visit deoclinic.org to help celebrate Lancaster or to register for this year’s Hope, Health and Healing event.
Submitted by the DEO Clinic.