NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A walk through the new Sentara-EVMS Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program clinic is a victory lap for Democratic Delegate Cliff Hayes of the 91st District.
“Knowing, the debilitating, stressful pain that many of those patients would go through … and then today, to know that this is finally coming to fruition is pretty exciting,” Hayes said.
Hayes has advocated for sickle cell patients since before he took office in 2016.
“It has taken constant conversation and communication about the issue. What are we for except for to help situations and speak for the voiceless?” Hayes said.
It’s estimated 4,000 people in Hampton Roads, mostly African Americans, are living with the blood disorder that causes acute pain and frequent hospitalizations.
“It’s a disease that affects every part of the body physically and then also affects mental health,” said Sentara-EVMS Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program Director Dr. Madeeha Deo.
Deo explained that when a patient walks into one of the exam rooms in the clinic several providers will visit them and tailor a treatment plan based on patient’s individual needs.
For instance, someone in crisis may need pain relief and mental health care.
“So doing physical therapy, massage, yoga, that sort of thing,” Deo said.
The program also has psychiatry on board to help provide head-to-toe treatment.
It’s the kind of comprehensive care CHKD provides to children with sickle cell. But, until now, adult patients from Hampton Roads would travel 100 miles to Richmond to get it at VCU Medical Center.
“This is just an exciting day to day to know that we are finally to a place where the folks in Hampton Roads have a place to go,” Hayes said.
The official grand opening takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 9, but providers began seeing patients there just after Labor Day. They’ve seen about 30 so far.
Call 757-446-8980 or visit evmsmedicalgroup.com/sicklecell to learn more or make an appointment.