Fall 2020
St. Mary's Health Clinics provides necessary and accessible health services
to the medically uninsured
and under-served.
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From Sue Gehlsen, Executive Director
Life in the Gray Zone
What to make of this upside down topsy turvy environment? Will the ‘dust’ ever settle again where we feel some sense of normalcy? What are the messages and lessons we are to hear during this time? How has this unrest and uncertainty affected me, our work, our communities?
If only there were answers to these questions. For sure we are learning to master skills in living with the unknowns, learning to live with uncertainty. I call this “…living in the gray zone,” a place that can be uncomfortable and filled with more questions than answers. For most of us, this ‘space’ is a challenge that requires us to look squarely in the mirror to reflect on what truly matters. Such conditions can push us to the edge and test our faith, our beliefs, forcing us to look deeply at priorities.
For the staff of St. Mary’s, this uncertainty continues as we adapt to the changing environment. Week by week we modify schedules, reopen clinics, expand outreach with flu vaccine administration and COVID-19 testing. We pride ourselves in responding to the needs at hand for our patients and for our community. With flu vaccine clinics, week-end hours are required and our staff is available. COVID-19 testing and follow up has required additional hours, and again, the staff is available. Covering for vacancies or absent co-workers….”I’ll take care of it” is the response. This group seems to have mastered adaptability, adjustments, accommodating others’ needs, responding to priorities and ‘going with the flow.’ So out of the unknowns and unpredictability has evolved an even more talented and versatile group of dedicated and compassionate team members who step up to meet the needs of our Latinx community members. Goodness reigns, flexibility and resilience are the qualities that shine!
Presently we continue to provide face to face care at three locations, with two additional sites re-opening in October. The schedules are modified and the patients that are served are those with more complex needs. COVID-19 precautions and sanitation practices are in place resulting in being able to see fewer patients. However, virtual visits have increased and are now available three days per week, and drive by medication pick up sites continue at three locations also. St. Mary’s is helping community partners administer flu vaccine and assist with COVID-19 testing and follow up calls. Gradually, week by week, the environment and needs are evaluated and SMHC responds.
St. Mary’s Health Center and the Latinx community is fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated group of employees who rise above the challenges and adapt as needed. Their commitment is endless and their presence is celebrated. Daily, they strive to meet the needs of our families.
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FLU CLINICS:
As you all know, the flu vaccination season is here. SMHC, in partnership with M Health Fairview, Homeland Health and Latino parishes and schools, is again conducting free flu vaccination clinics in different community sites. So far, we have administered over 1,400 flu shots!
Please click here or check our Facebook page for the full schedule. Please pass the information on and recommend patients and their families to get vaccinated. The flu clinics are open to everybody. |
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COVID-19 testing
SMHC has partnered with the Minneapolis Health Department and Ramsey County Public Health to coordinate, promote and staff free COVID-19 screening events targeted to the Latinx community at the church of Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Minneapolis, the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Mexican Consulate in St. Paul. Over 1,000 people were tested at these events.
Additional drive through COVID-19 testing opportunities at the Mexican Consulate are in the works.
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St. Mary's staff assisting at clinics. |
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New SMHC Clinic to open at St. Kate's!
St. Mary's Health Clinics in collaboration with St. Kate's University, will be opening a new clinic on the campus of St. Kate's University in October. The clinic will be overseen by Dr. Amy Kelly, St. Kate's Medical Director and SMHC Board Member. Students in the Nurse Practitioner Program and the Physician Assistant Program will be treating patients under Dr. Kelly's supervision. This clinic will be in conjunction with the Occupational and Physical Therapy Clinics already established at St. Kate's.
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St. Kate's honored Mary Madonna Ashton, CSJ with an Honorary Doctorate.
Sister Mary Madonna is the
founding CEO and President of
St. Mary's Health Clinics.
Learn more about her recent award here.
Congratulations Sister Mary Madonna!
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St. Mary’s Health Clinics Emergency Funds (SEAF)
As you probably know, most of SMHC patients were employed at the start of 2020 (70%). Most had front-line jobs in low-paying jobs such as restaurants, cleaning, construction, meat plants or manufacturing. During the COVID-19 pandemic patients have been terminated, furloughed or their hours have been reduced due to closures and reductions or due to becoming sick with COVID-19. Because of their immigration status, SMHC patients are systematically excluded from government benefits such as housing assistance, energy assistance and unemployment benefits. In response to this situation, SMHC launched the Emergency Fund Program (SEAF) to ensure or to try to alleviate the material safety of patients. With support from grants and donations, this summer SMHC launched an emergency fund providing up to $500 per family to address basic living expenses such as food, utilities and housing. Needs for these essential support items have been increasing throughout the summer and services are planned to continue as funds allow. At the end of the summer, SMHC has distributed almost $60,000. Most of the funds have been used for housing assistance, followed by assistance with utilities, food, transportation and medical and miscellaneous needs. Funders for the COVID-19 Emergency Funds included: Greater Twin Cities United Way, The St. Paul Foundation, the Constellation Fund, St. Joan of Arc church, the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and private donations.
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The mission of Many Faces is to better meet the needs of underserved communities by providing high quality, culturally-competent, affordable healthcare and enabling services in order to improve access to care and reduce health disparities that persist in the state.
SMHC will be recognized at their virtual conference on October 22, 2020.
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The staff of SMHC held a memorial in honor of Sister Marie Theresa Belanger. A tree has been planted in her memory on the grounds of Carondelet Center. She was known for being a lover of nature and wildlife. |
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Sister Maria Theresa Belanger will forever be remembered by her coworkers at
St. Mary's Health Clinics.
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The staff at SMHC is pleased to welcome
St. Kate's Public Health Student, Dephany Liu.
She is studying
Healthcare Management and Administration and is spending time at clinics and with Sue Gehlsen.
Welcome!
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Our broken healthcare system calls us to action!
Lessons from COVID-19
Community Conversation and ZOOM Coffee Hour
Friday, October 23, 2020
9:00 - 10:30 AM
View registration and details at this site.
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St. Mary’s Volunteer Drivers
We would like to say thank you for all the time, dedication, and commitment that you offered to the patients of St. Mary’s. We hope that you your families are staying safe and doing well during this unpleasant time in our world.
You ALL are missed very much…..
Tina and the St. Mary’s Health Clinics Staff
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Did you know that shopping on Amazon can help St. Mary's Health Clinics?
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice, St. Mary's Health Clinics.
On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you are prompted to select a charitable organization, please select St. Mary's Health Clinics. It's as easy as that!
You will need to log in to smile.amazon.com in order to support St. Mary's for each order placed. Thank you!
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1890 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota
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