HEALTH EQUITY
The Miracle of Washington Street
by MANUEL GRIMALDI , MD , FACP AND YOUNG-WON ( CHRISTINA ) KIM , MS , MPH
In 2008 , St . Joseph Church in Butchertown had a new Spanish-speaking pastor . Father David Sanchez attracted Latin American refugee and immigrant parishioners . It is then that the community became aware of those parishioners ’ social needs . Under the leadership of Father Sanchez and senior parishioners , Family Community Clinic ( FCC ) began with the mission to help alleviate the health needs of those refugees and immigrants that were medically uninsured .
In 2010 , the Rectory basement was remodeled and the following year the clinic began offering primary care . Through word of mouth , the clinic started to thrive . Eventually , in 2018 , $ 1.4 million was used to upgrade the empty parochial school next door . Eight exam rooms , a dental suite and a large waiting room allowed FCC to expand its services beyond primary care to include psychiatry and dermatology . For services beyond its scope of care , the clinic has established a partnership with local clinics and hospitals . The clinic also offers free lab work and other diagnostic tests through a separate laboratory and X-ray company .
It was George and Mary Lee Fischer ’ s vision for the patients to have a clean and pleasant clinic . Mr . Fischer received donations of artwork that adorn the clinic . He often remarked that the patients should feel comfortable and love the clinic . Since its inception , FCC has become a magnet for the medically uninsured in the community .
6 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
It has attracted many volunteers as well , such as health care practitioners , dentists , psychiatrists , nurses , social workers , interpreters and scribes . A small crew of paid staff facilitates all the services . FCC provides free services to people without insurance and does not receive support from government agencies . The clinic is funded solely by donations and grants .
FCC ’ s history is comparable to the parable of the mustard seed . As stated in Matthew 13:31-34 , “… and it became a tree , so the birds came and perched in its branches .” Reflecting on this message , the humble seed of charity and the fruition of the clinic have attracted the working poor and uninsured folks , the volunteers and the community to offer financial support for its viability . These essential components make the dream possible .
The inspiration and leadership that created FCC comes from Mary Lee and George Fischer . They have been there throughout the steps of creation and running of the clinic . Their enthusiasm has been infectious ; more people have become involved , and their business genius has assured the financial survival of the clinic . Mr . Fischer was blessed to see the 10th anniversary of service . While he has left us , we carry the torch to help those in our community . Paraphrasing C . S . Lewis , volunteering at FCC produces a “ good infection .”
Dr . Grimaldi is a medical volunteer at the Family Community Clinic and also serves on their Board .
Young-Won ( Christina ) Kim MS , MPH is the Director of Volunteer Coordination and Marketing at Family Community Clinic . ( non-member )