For Dr. For Jim Hines, Cleburne’s HOPE Medical and Dental Clinic represented a fulfilling third step in his medical career.
“I’ve always felt comfortable here,” Hines said after completing his Tuesday shift at the clinic. “I have also always been grateful for this opportunity to continue seeing patients. So I’m going to miss this, I’m going to miss all of you and the patients.”
HOPE employees feel much the same way about Hines.
“We all love him,” said HOPE Medical Clinic Manager Gidget Delaune. “Our patients all love him. They don’t want to see anyone else and just brag about him. He is so full of grace and kindness and we will certainly miss him.”
HOPE director Diane Westcott agreed.
“Dr. Hines has been volunteering here since 2019 and comes here every week,” Westcott said. “So his departure will leave a huge hole because he has been so reliable, kind and helpful to us and all our patients here over the years.”
Born in Corpus Christi, Hines practiced medicine in that city for 32 years and then spent eight years working with people in need in Guatemala.
“My wife said I’m going and you can come if you want,” Hines said with a laugh. “Because our grandsons are here, and that’s why we moved to Burleson six years ago. But other than that, my wife and I were both born and raised in Corpus.”
The decision to pursue a medical career hit in high school, Hines said.
“I was 16, in high school and just decided I wanted to be a doctor,” Hines said. “I’m not sure why. I think it was just the combination of the fact that I liked science and I liked interacting with people.
“Anyway, from that moment on I knew this was what I wanted to do, so I focused, changed my study habits at school and did it.”
Hines graduated from the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston before returning to Corpus to open his private practice.
“The people,” Hines responded when asked about his favorite part of being a doctor. “I remember a gentleman I saw during my first month of practice. He came in and a month later he came in for chest pain and I worked him for that. We became very good friends and I ended up taking care of his entire family, brothers, sisters and children. I have had that with other patients where we have become friends and I have cared for them for 30, 40 years and that has meant a lot.”
In addition to medical work, Hines and his wife worked with abused and abandoned girls and raised money so they could go to school.
“For some, this means getting a GED and a job,” Hines said. “For others who are going to training or university. It is important because if they do not get an education, they are doomed to repeat the cycle of poverty.”
Besides being personally rewarding, the work and fundraising made a difference, Hines said.
“One girl received a master’s degree in psychology two years ago and two others recently graduated from a major Guatemalan university. One has obtained a degree in International Business and the other is now working on her master’s degree in Human Resources.”
Hines said he heard about HOPE Clinic from his son, Mark Hines, an attorney in Cleburne.
“I’m really enjoying it here,” Hines said. “God has placed us in a great church here in the province and we have made some very good friends in a short time.”
Amid hugs and messages of gratitude from staff for his six years of service at the clinic on Tuesday, Hines promised to stay in touch and visit often, but added that he and his wife also plan to continue their work in Guatemala to make.
“Between fundraising and all the administrative stuff that takes up a lot of our time,” Hines said. “And we go there once or twice a year. We actually went three times this year to attend the graduation ceremonies. But it is good work and important and I hope to continue.”
Dr. Tony Torres of Cleburne founded the Hope Clinic more than a decade ago.
The clinic will serve the needs of low-income residents in Johnson and Hill counties, as well as those who lack insurance and/or otherwise fall through the cracks because they cannot afford or qualify for medical care for help.
