When local TV host Carrie Peña sat down with two of our physicians, she introduced the Neighborhood Christian Clinic as “the best kept secret in the Valley.” After more than 25 years of serving uninsured adults in Phoenix, we’re still hearing that line almost every week.
In this new Frontdoors TV segment, filmed at the Center for Positive Media, Dr. Victor Vellon (dentist) and Dr. Andrea Morley (physician) share what makes the Clinic different: faith-based, whole-person care for patients who often have nowhere else to go.
“We don’t just see a patient. We see a human being.”
That’s the heart of this interview—and the heart of our work every day.
Faith-Based Healthcare for the Underserved
The Neighborhood Christian Clinic exists to provide Christ-centered medical, dental, and behavioral health care for uninsured adults in Phoenix who can’t afford care elsewhere.
Our providers see patients with serious chronic conditions, long-delayed dental needs, and the emotional weight that comes with financial stress, grief, trauma, and broken relationships.
Most patients come in because something hurts—a tooth, a back, a blood sugar reading that’s suddenly out of control. We always start there. But as Dr. Andrea Morley shares in the video, that’s never the whole story.
From the beginning, Dr. Morley says she was drawn to the Clinic by her heart for the underserved—and by the opportunity to connect with Spanish-speaking patients in their own language. What keeps her here is the freedom to care for both physical and spiritual needs. Patients may arrive with a clinical concern, but visits often end with shared hope, prayer, and a reminder that God is at work in their lives.
That shared faith changes the tone of the visit. Patients know they are not just a case or a chart. They are seen, known, and loved.
Getting to the Root Cause, Not Just the Symptom
In the interview, Dr. Victor Vellon talks about what this looks like from a dental perspective. A patient might arrive with a tooth that is extremely sensitive or a mouth full of infections. As a dentist, he can treat the immediate problem—but if the team never looks deeper, the same issues will keep coming back.
Whole-person care asks why:
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Is there uncontrolled diabetes behind that infection?
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Is fear of costs causing patients to delay treatment until they’re in crisis?
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Is grief, depression, or anxiety making it harder to manage health day to day?
“That’s why getting to the foundation of things matters,” Dr. Vellon explains. Treating a tooth is important—but understanding the underlying cause is what leads to lasting change.
That’s where our behavioral health team comes in. By listening to patients’ stories and addressing emotional and spiritual burdens alongside physical symptoms, we can help them move toward lasting healing—not just a quick fix.
Taking Time to Truly See Patients
Modern medicine often pushes providers to move fast: shorter visits, more patients, less time to listen. Our doctors see the impact of that every day when new patients arrive feeling rushed, dismissed, or invisible.
At the Clinic, we work hard to do the opposite.
Our providers:
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Pray each morning for the specific patients scheduled that day—plus the ones God may send unexpectedly.
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Take time to understand each person’s story, background, and barriers to care.
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Welcome walk-ins when possible, knowing that crisis doesn’t always fit neatly into a schedule.
It takes more time and energy, but it’s essential to providing truly compassionate, Christ-centered care.
“We pray every morning just thanking God for the unique list of people who are going to walk through that day,” Dr. Morley shares.
“Sometimes it’s exactly who’s on the schedule and sometimes it’s someone we never expected—but we’re ready to serve them.”
Powered by Arizona’s Generosity (and the Tax Credit)
During the interview, Carrie asks about the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit—and Dr. Vellon is candid: it means everything.
We charge low fees for services to keep them accessible, but those fees cover only a very small portion of what it costs to operate the Clinic. The vast majority of our funding comes from donors, churches, and businesses who care about the health of our community.
Through the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit (QCO Code 20278), gifts to The Neighborhood Christian Clinic may qualify for a dollar-for-dollar credit on state taxes—up to $495 for individuals or $987 for married couples filing jointly. In other words, donors can help uninsured neighbors receive medical, dental, and spiritual care while reducing their own Arizona tax liability.
It’s one of the most impactful ways to support whole-person care in Phoenix.
Watch the Full Conversation
If you’ve ever wondered what makes The Neighborhood Christian Clinic different—or why so many patients describe their visit as an answer to prayer—this short video is a powerful window into our mission.
Watch the full Frontdoors TV segment with Dr. Victor Vellon and Dr. Andrea Morley below:
As you watch, consider this:
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What would it mean for our community if every patient was treated as a whole person—body, mind, and spirit?
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How might God be inviting you, your church, or your business to be part of this work?
If you’d like to learn more about partnering with the Neighborhood Christian Clinic through giving, volunteering, or scheduling a tour, we’d love to connect.
Together, we can ensure that the “best kept secret in the Valley” isn’t a secret for long.