A small clinic in Slocomb has earned some bragging rights.

Rafael Carcache has only been working at the Slocomb Family Health Center for a year and a half and that is all he needed to start making a difference.

"Rafael has made several different calls on his own to help get me medication." said Karen Gay, a patient who attends the health center.

His dedication to others earned him the Steve Shore Award for his work in raising awareness about health of farmworkers in the southeast, an award that left Rafael feeling a little bashful.

" I don't know what to tell you, believe me."said Carcache.

As he humbly talked about his success he also mentioned he is the first Latin American in Alabama to be awarded the Steve Shore Award.

" I feel like i was involved in this emotionally, from my heart, to help the people." said Carcache.

He has helped people like Karen Gay.

"I'm a diabetic, I have high blood pressure, I have depression. I have a list that is a mile long." said Gay.

A scroll filled with illnesses but at the bottom one clinic's name.

"I want a doctor who will explain things to me about what is going on."  replied Gay.

But Carcache isn't just a liaison between the doctors and patients.

 "He treats us well and gives us suggestions how we should take care of our children when they are sick . He  also helps us pick out the correct medication." said Patricia Rodriguez, a patient who only speaks Spanish.

Carcache worked in California for 21 years as a migrant health coordinator and was a physician in Mexico.