In the ferment of the early 70's, the issue of health care for everyone was as important to some young people as stopping the war in Vietnam. Inspired by the Chicago-based Medical Committee for Human Rights, local med students and some Skinker-DeBaliviere neighbors began to ask how they could follow other cities in providing free health care.
Some were activists working for patients' rights, like Rev. King Schoenfeld of 61xx Westminster, whose booklet on the subject was published by a local Lutheran chaplaincy agency and later, by Blue Cross. Others were determined to open a "free clinic" in the area. These were led by a charismatic ex-Marine, Peter Muckermann of 61xx McPherson, a hospital administration student with ties to med students at the university med schools here.
After months of discussions and planning by a dozen or so people, a search was begun for a location for their clinic. Turned down by the local Baptist church, they found a storefront in the building at Four Corners currently occupied by the Community Council. Volunteers spent additional months building a makeshift but comfortable clinic furnished in late Goodwill and stocked with medical supplies and equipment begged or borrowed from friends in the profession.
Open several hours a week, the clinic was a success. Students and other neighbors came for care, and the volunteer staff of medical students, nurses and doctors, like Fred Bauschard (a dermatologist whose practice is now located on Chippewa), kept the operation going. Care was free to anyone.
After several years the People's Clinic became a fixture, but staffing, income and facilities were a constant issue. A better facility would allow the clinic to serve more people. Paid medical and clerical staff would be necessary to operate a full-service clinic. And money would be necessary for all that.
The clinic's board scouted for a new location, while plans for funding were made. Eventually new facilities on Delmar near DeBaliviere were renovated and opened. While the move east radically changed the clinic's relation to Skinker-DeBaliviere, it opened the clinic to a new world of patients.
Within years success drove the People's Clinic to expand by building an entirely new facility.
Early volunteers for the Clinic included: Rita Magyar, Judy Maschan, Arline Burgdorf (later Webb), Dr. Vinod Seth, Barbara Bailey, Kathy Gentry, Doug Strong, Mary Webber, and Christine Smith, who later became Executive Director. Members of the Clinic Council included George Brown, Anna Busch, Mary Boyts (later Schmit), Catherine Sullivan, Maverine Wilson, William Bolden, Mary Alice Krueger, Jim Parker, Gene Hoefel, Bill Williams, Gordon Carlson, Mimi Newsham, Art Perry, Sue Sante, and Chris Wright. Many, many more individuals were strong supporters and worked to provide quality care.
Original newspaper source
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June–August 2000.
