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with them and their progress often. We partnered with wonderful
organizations like Passport Health and the YMCA of Louisville to
help with this endeavor. We were on the path to providing a sus-
tainable cardiovascular clinic catering to the indigent population
of our community.
The final step for our clinic was this: How can you really un-
derstand what people are going through in their lives if you aren’t
in their neighborhoods? Many of these people live in communities
without access to health care services. They cannot afford preven-
tative and screening tests others have access to. So, we started free
cardiovascular screenings (tests that typically cost a few hundred
dollars). We went to their neighborhoods, churches, housing sites
and community clinics. We wanted people to know “Have A Heart”
was there to help them to a path of better and longer life. That’s
where we sit today, it’s been a great beginning!
But, this was not just about “Have A Heart,” it’s really about a
belief in people. Our clinic is a place where you can go to see that
concept at its fullest. We have over 50 regular volunteers: doctors,
nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, sonographers, sched-
ulers, front office staff and board members. We even have wonderful
people who volunteer to watch the front door for us. Amazing people
like Marcia Maguire who does all of our scheduling which, trust
me, is not an easy task. There’s Maria Sanchez, a Spanish interpreter
who is beautiful both inside and out and who is there almost every
clinic and any time we need her. Anita Keating is unique and special.
Anita arranges all the clinics and all the volunteers. Steve Driscoll is
a young man who is our security guy. He watches the door, and his
wonderful wife, Pat, who I have known for many years, is one of our
nurse volunteers. We have patients from my regular office practice
who have heard of our venture and volunteer. Previous “Have A
Heart” patients have also become volunteers. So many incredible
people willingly give up their time and expertise to help. For any
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
who doubt the good in people, please come visit our clinic to see
the power of love, kindness and mercy.
This is also a story about the people we serve. We have gotten
more back from them than we could have ever given. People like
Mr. and Mrs. Aserdanos, two of the most beautiful people you could
ever meet. An immigrant from the Philippines, Mr. Aserdano has a
bad heart and no access to care. The love they showed quickly made
everyone part of their family.
All the people who needed testing, angioplasty and heart sur-
gery have been nothing but kind, gracious and appreciative. They
are patients in our care coordinator program and while leaving the
office on the day of their visit, they were seen crying and hugging
those who reached out to help them just because someone finally
listened to their needs. As in the book “When Breath Becomes Air,”
we are merely just asking the simplest, humane questions of our
patients, such as, “How do you think you’re doing? How are things
at home?” These basic inquiries open up a window to needs beyond
medicines and procedures - talking about the things that can lead
to the process of healing by truly caring.
This is all about so much more.
I hate to finish on a negative note with all the positives outlined
above, but that’s the powerful statement that must be addressed. It
needs to be said…I just wish I had a louder voice!
Our larger concern is HOW we treat the poor in our country, how
we have abandoned so many, how we have left behind those with
less and, most importantly, how little those with more understand
this, but would rally to help if they knew. Things are improving as
many organizations team up to provide better care. With that, we
can never give up on the quest for easy health care access for all.
Dr. Imburgia is a practicing cardiologist and founder of the Have A
Heart Clinic.