Taking the Time
Streamlined Patient Care and a Fulfilling Experience
Dr. Tomi Uwazota
Volunteer Medical Care Provider
My name is Dr. Tomi Uwazota. I was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States when I was 18 years old. After completing my undergraduate and medical studies at Howard University in Washington, DC, I moved to York for my residency. When I learned about Katallasso, I saw it as a wonderful opportunity to help provide no-cost care for patients who don't have insurance or the means to access the medical care they need.
Later when my parents visited from Nigeria to visit, providers at Katallasso saw them and made them feel at home. I saw how these services benefited my family. I want to be able to give this care to everyone—wherever you come from, whatever language you speak. As a volunteer at Katalasso, I have more time to spend with my patients than at a regular practice. I can take the time to learn their stories and where they come from. We can even hold hands and pray together.
"There are times when I'm at work and I wish I were seeing that patient at Katallasso."
One of the most impactful parts for me was when new patients learned about our services through the Nigerian pastor at their church. Communicating with them and getting them stable on their medical regimen has been a huge blessing to me because I've always wanted to give back, not just in this community but to my home country.
There are times when I'm at work and I wish I were seeing that patient at Katallasso because there are things that are not covered even with our patients who have insurance. Because of the collaborations that Katallasso has been able to establish, all our patients receive excellent care, which streamlines patient care.
“You can feel that you are connecting with people here.”
Seeing the other volunteer providers so freely give their time—how fully dedicated they are to this work—has been a huge blessing to me. The clinic staff really does work with you to make sure that you are practicing medicine in a personally fulfilling way.
I feel really blessed to be a part of this ministry. I volunteer once a month, but some providers come in once a week. You can commit to whatever works for your schedule. Any time donated is one more provider taking care of people in need in York, and even beyond because we see people from all over.
Katallasso is a place to practice medicine in a way that you're not just dealing with technology and all the bureaucracy—you can feel that you are connecting with people here.