"The Power of a Gentle Touch" – a nurse’s perspective

I’ve been a nurse at Charis Health Center for over a year now, and while some days are routine, others remind me exactly why I chose this calling.

A few months ago, a new patient came in for a follow up nurse visit. He was visibly anxious, clutching his intake paperwork tightly and avoiding eye contact. When I introduced myself and led him back for vitals and labs, he hesitated.

"I'm terrified of needles," he whispered, almost apologetically. "I’ve had bad experiences. My veins are small, and it usually takes multiple sticks."

I could see the fear in his eyes—the kind that doesn’t just come from discomfort but from being overlooked, rushed, or hurt in the past. At Charis, we believe in more than just care—we believe in dignity, in excellence, in making every patient feel safe.

I sat down beside him and said, “We’re going to take our time, and I’ll talk you through every step. You’re in control here.”

I kept talking gently while I examined his veins. With a butterfly needle and the right angle, I was able to let the draw on the first try. He didn’t even know that I was almost finished drawing his lab when he said “Please just let me know before you put the needle in so I can brace myself.” I giggled a bit and said “Sir, you are almost done here already!”

As he looked to see the blood fill the final vial, his eyes welled with tears—not from pain, but from relief. 

“No one’s ever listened to me like this before,” he said. “That didn’t even hurt. I can’t believe it.”

Since then, he has become one of our most regular patients. He calls and specifically asks for me each time he has return labs that are ordered. Every time I see him, he gives me a big hug and says, “You changed how I see healthcare.”

That’s the power of delivering excellence—not just in clinical skill, but in presence, compassion, and care.  

One gentle touch. One safe space. One patient at a time.

"A Place Called Charis”- a patient’s perspective 

I still remember the first day I walked into Charis Health Center. I was scared, tired, and out of options. I had been living without health insurance for over five years. As a single mother of two, every dollar I earned went to rent, groceries, or keeping the lights on. Taking care of myself always came last.

When my chest pains started, I tried to ignore them. I told myself it was just stress. But deep down, I knew it was something more. I had been silently battling high blood pressure and untreated diabetes for years. The emergency room had become my fallback—until the bills piled too high, and the fear of debt kept me away.

A friend at church told me about Charis. She said, “They don’t just treat you. They see you. They care.” I didn’t believe it until I experienced it myself.

From the moment I walked through their doors, I was greeted with warmth and dignity. The woman at the front desk spoke enthusiastically and smiled at me—not a forced smile, but one that said, You belong here.

That day, I met a nurse who held my hand while I cried. I met a provider who didn’t rush through my visit but asked about my children, my job, my fears. She listened to my story like it mattered—because to her, it did.

Charis didn’t just give me prescriptions. They gave me hope. They connected me with a diabetes education resources and a blood pressure log to track at home. They helped me access medications for free through their dispensary. They even made sure I had healthy food and hygiene products when times got really hard.

But what changed my life the most was their belief in me. They never made me feel less than because I couldn’t pay. They didn’t see me as a burden—they saw me as someone worth helping. Someone worth healing.

Today, I have my blood pressure and diabetes under control. I’ve lost weight. I have more energy for my kids. And most of all, I have peace. I know I’m not alone anymore.

Charis Health Center is more than a clinic. It’s a place where compassion leads the way. A place where people like me find strength, dignity, and the courage to keep going.  

They delivered hope to me when I had none left. And that changed everything.