此内容暂无简体中文译文，以下为英文原文。
Historical February 1977 reporting. Health information, services, fees and meeting dates describe the original period, not current medical guidance or availability.
Although I’ve lived in Parkview for nearly six years, it was this past fall that I decided to try the People’s Clinic at 6010 Kingsbury. Probably like many area residents, I had always assumed that the clinic was intended to serve only those people who could not afford a private physician, so I never bothered to find out what it had to offer me. One visit was sufficient, however, to change my indifference to enthusiasm, and I am writing this article in order to pass along a good thing. –
For those of you who do not know about the People’s Clinic, it was started five years ago by Community Collectives with seed money from Washington University. Since then, the clinic has provided physical check-ups, free immunization, and general medical treatment to people in Parkview, the Loop, SkinkerDeBaliviere and the Central West End. The clinic also provides facilites for the Women’s Clinic, where any Saturday morning a woman can have an examination, a pap smear, and lessons in self-examination all for less than what a pap smear would cost at a gynecologist’s.
As a member ($3/yr. individual; $5/yr. family), you are entitled to come to the clinic any time you need treatment or a check-up for the cost of $1. Opened from 6-9:30 p.m. M W Th, the clinic is staffed by a volunteer corps of over one hundred doctors and support people who donate one or two evenings a month to treat illness, which includes prescribing medication, giving physicals, and referring those patients who need specialized or intensive care to the appropriate places. Fees for lab tests are minimal.
Another walk-in service which will come as welcome information to parents who hate to queue up at the pediatrician for their children’s shots and check-ups is the free immunization clinic. The daytime immunization program gives the full series for diptheria, polio, measles, and rubella, as well as typhoid and cholera shots upon special request. The only shots not provided are for mumps. When children come in for immunization, there is a nurse on hand who does a general health assessment; and you can bring the kids to the evening clinic for a complete physical with a doctor.
Not only does the clinic provide health care, it also does preventive health training. Every volunteer at the clinic can receive lessons in how to take vital signs; and this year, there will be offered a series of free workshops in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. Watch The Paper for dates.
I could go on about the ideas which farsighted and firmly-dedicated director Christine Smith has for the clinic. Besides continuing to raise the consciousness of the community regarding health care with Health Fairs, first aid tents at neighborhood functions, and projects such as enlisting the Summer Youth Corps to build trash can holders for residents, Mrs. Smith envisions a training program for block health advisors who could then provide immediate treatment and/or advice for residents’ medical problems. She is also working with small businesses in the community to tailor-make their preventive health care needs and to avail their employees of the first-line treatment at the clinic.
Thus far I have enumerated the tangible advantages of joining the clinic. Now I would like to suggest that your membership, and your contribution if you so desire, is an investment in maintaining a stable and cohesive community. The clinic received the last of its seed money over two years ago and therefore depends upon our support in order that it may continue to serve our community. While only three of the many people working at the clinic are paid, the realities of rent, utilities and supplies must still be accounted for. I hope that you will join me in the patronage and support, of this worthwhile facility—the People’s Clinic.
Originally published in The Paper, February 1977.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1977_02.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
