ReportWire

Free Clearwater clinic serving uninsured marks milestone

Written by

ReportWire

in

[ad_1]

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A free medical clinic in Clearwater is celebrating a major milestone: 30 years of providing care to community members with little to no health insurance — a mission that nearly came to an end just two years ago.

La Clinica Guadalupana marked the anniversary with a day filled with faith, culture and celebration, coinciding with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a sacred Catholic holy day.

Mariachi music, prayer, and gratitude filled the clinic as staff, volunteers, and patients reflected on three decades of service.

What You Need To Know

  • La Clinica Guadalupana, a free Clearwater clinic, celebrates 30 years after a last-minute partnership saved it from closing

  • The clinic sees more than 2,000 patients each year, offering primary care and preventative services to people who might otherwise delay or forgo treatment
  • Despite its long history, the clinic’s future was uncertain, with rising overhead costs putting La Clinica Guadalupana at risk of shutting down

  • Catholic Charities stepped in, making La Clinica Guadalupana the fourth free medical clinic within the Diocese of St. Petersburg


Monse Mangual, one of the clinic’s first nurses, helped open La Clinica Guadalupana in 1995 and said the work has always been about service.

“It was amazing. I love to help people and I always say that I came here to serve,” Mangual said.

All medical providers at La Clinica Guadalupana volunteer their services. The clinic sees more than 2,000 patients each year, offering primary care and preventative services to people who might otherwise delay or forgo treatment.

Clinic director Laura Ramos said the goal is to provide care that is both accessible and respectful.

“They can come in and get all of those services that are dignifying and reduce the hospital visits,” Ramos said.

But despite its long history, the clinic’s future was uncertain. Rising overhead costs put La Clinica Guadalupana at risk of shutting down.

Dr. Jennifer L. Cabreira-Steimle, who has volunteered with the clinic for 15 years, says the reality was sobering.

“I don’t think that people realize that two years ago we were close to not being able to provide the service anymore,” she said.

In search of a solution, Cabreira-Steimle reached out to Catholic Charities for help — a move she describes as a turning point.

“(I thought) this is big, that’s where we got that Hail Mary Pass,” she said with a chuckle.

Catholic Charities stepped in, making La Clinica Guadalupana the fourth free medical clinic within the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Deacon Rick Wells with the Diocese says the partnership reflects a commitment to dignity and care for all.

[ad_2]

Fadia Patterson

Source link

More posts