Summer 2021
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
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ‘TRAVELIN’ UPDATE
As the journey continues, St. Mary’s Health Clinics (SMHC) evolve in response to the pandemic environment as we work to reestablish “norms”, whether that means work processes as they were pre-Covid, or, working to find new ways of addressing patient and community needs.
Here are a few highlights noting where we are on this ongoing journey:
- All clinics have reopened and are seeing patients face to face, with the exception of one location in east St. Paul. That facility is expected to reopen in late summer. While the facilities are open, not all clinics are at capacity in terms of service levels or numbers of clinic sessions.
- Virtual and telephonic visits continue three times per week at Carondelet Center, with varying numbers of patients served. Thanks to providers who are on site to support these appointments.
- Covid-19 precautions remain in place, following MDH guidelines. Clinic personnel continue to wear masks when in clinic, distancing is observed and patients arrive individually for services, without family members. All staff and volunteers are offered Covid vaccine and it is strongly preferred for those having direct contact with patients.
- Covid-19 vaccine clinics continue, in partnership with M Health Fairview, Hennepin Health Care and Ramsey County.
- So far, at the vaccine clinics coordinated by St. Mary’s, over 7,500 doses have been administered since February, 2021.
- Volunteers are gradually returning to the clinics and we are most happy to have them back! We’re eager to welcome even more of our volunteers, especially nurses, admitting clerks and interpreters. THANK YOU!
- Plans are underway to offer interdisciplinary Women’s Clinics, providing comprehensive well woman care and screens, along with the availability of resources to promote health and wellness, including information on nutrition, social services, community resources, etc. This is a pilot project aimed at providing “one stop” comprehensive care on dates/times convenient for our patient population. We anticipate the first session to occur in October, 2021, in partnership with St. Catherine University and their health professions students and faculty.
- Staff support was provided during the past several months by Katie, a recent SCU graduate in Exercise Science. Katie was our champion with tips and suggestions for improved self- care by weekly emails and by her presence at staff meetings, etc. helping to keep our work environment a positive and healthy place.
- Since July 1, 2020, through May of 2021, SMHC provided 4,279 patient encounters/visits to 2,184 patients
- Who’s knocking at our door? Data trends from the last 10 months indicate the greatest number of requests come from the southern metro area, Apple Valley and Burnsville, followed by Minneapolis requests.
- St Kate's University BSN students completed clinical education with SMHC nursing supervisors in the spring of 2021, and will return for the fall of 2021. Summer brings MSN students from SCU for their clinical education.
Where are we headed?
- Continued return to pre-Covid clinic activities
- Covid prevention, education services provided, along with ongoing vaccine clinics
- Women’s clinics planning and preparation
- Exploring clinical partnerships with specialists in the east metro area especially
- Broadening our services and approach to mental and emotional health support
- Fall flu vaccine clinics preparation
- Fall health screening events
The work continues and the needs seem to expand. You can be sure that much of what is accomplished would not happen without the dedication and commitment of this wonderful team and the support of our volunteers, board of directors and the entire CSJ community!!
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THANK YOU!!
A HUGE thank you to our Sisters of St. Joseph for their very generous donation to the SEAF fund-St. Mary’s Emergency Assistance Funds. These dollars help provide financial assistance for basic expenses related to food, housing and utilities for SMHC families. SEAF was started in the spring of 2020 in response to the impact of Covid-19 related to the illness itself, and employment losses for our families. Significant needs continue. Through grants and donations received from June, 2020-May, 2021, over $90,000 has been given to help patients, with a maximum of $500/family for a one-time gift. The generous sisters’ recent gift will provide funds allowing SMHC to continue providing limited financial assistance for families in need.
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A Word about Vaccine
Questions have emerged recently about whether Covid-19 vaccine is required or mandatory for SMHC staff and Volunteers. After checking with CDC and state guidelines, as well as local health care systems, with guidance from our medical director, SMHC’s position follows:
- All safety/prevention precautions remain in effect in the clinic setting with masks worn, hand hygiene emphasized and available, with social distancing honored.
- In the administrative office setting, vaccinated persons do not need to wear masks and social distancing is not required. Unvaccinated persons continue to wear masks
- SMHC strongly prefers and encourages vaccine for patients, staff and volunteers
- Unvaccinated persons will wear masks at all times in the clinic and office setting
- Ongoing information related to vaccine availability will continue to be provided
- While some persons choose not to receive the vaccine, the evidence supports the fact that the greatest risks regarding the Covid-19 virus illness and complications exists with the unvaccinated person.
If there are questions about these guidelines, please contact
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GRATITUDE!
If you’re curious about funding sources for SMHC, you may be interested to see a list of the major funding sponsors for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. We are most grateful for their support and commitment to SMHC and to the services provided! Thank you!
Allina Health Systems/St. Francis Regional Hospital – Saints Foundation
Casey Albert T. O’Neill Foundation
City of Minneapolis
Comision de Salud Froteriza Mexico-Estados Unidos
Consulate of Mexico
Dakota County
Delta Dental Foundation of Minnesota
Dvorak Family Charitable Fund
Elizabeth C. Quinlan Foundation
Emergency Physicians Professional Association
F.R. Bigelow Foundation
M Health Fairview
Familia Robinson Foundation
Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation
Guardian Angels Church
Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research (HACER)
Hennepin County department of health
Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc
Hunger Solutions Minnesota
James E. Doherty Medical Trust
James M. Cox Foundation
Minnesota State Bar Association Foundation
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Minnesota Nurses Association
National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC)
Otto Bremer Trust
Ramsey County
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
Sisters of St. Joseph (Saint Paul Provence)
Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
St. Catherine University
St. Croix Valley Foundation
The PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation (COF)
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundations
Thomas S. Kemp Foundation
Thrivent Financial
UCare
This list does not include individual personal donations made by St. Mary’s supporters but reflects Foundation and Corporate funds awarded during this current fiscal year.
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The CSJ Employee picnic was held in June on the campus lawn!
"The weather cooperated.
We had a great turnout.
Laughter was heard all around.
The food was great and dessert even better.
Prizes were a hit."
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Thanks to Carla Scheider, RN, who will be leaving her position as Nursing Supervisor effective July 2. Carla has taken a position with another health care organization. For the past two years, Carla has overseen the Fridley and Olivet clinics, and will be missed. Thanks Carla for sharing your time and talent with our St. Mary’s Community! |
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A sincere thank you also to Lydia Vetsch, who will be leaving St. Mary’s as of June 18. Lydia has been with St. Mary’s over the past year as a St. Joseph Worker, a ministry of the CSJ’s. Young women spend a year in community, provide service in a non-profit as they continue their personal, professional and spiritual development. Lydia has served St. Mary’s in many ways and has been especially helpful with Covid-19 prevention, screening and vaccine activities. Lydia will be missed along with her willingness to help out in any way. Best of luck to Lydia as she pursues her goal of becoming a physician assistant. |
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Welcome to Clare Pryor, a student from Notre Dame who is working at St. Mary’s this summer for eight weeks. Clare is participating in Notre Dame’s Summer Student Learning Program and will helping out at the clinics, with mammogram screens and with interpreting. Clare resides in Minneapolis and hopes to pursue a role in Health Care. |
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St. Mary’s is pleased to serve as a practicum site for Georgie Kinsman. Georgie graduated from St. Kate’s in Public Health and as an undergraduate, completed a practicum at St. Mary’s until Covid-19 arrived on the scene. She is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Health and working twenty hours a week this summer, taking a lead for the Oral Health Initiative funded by Delta Dental. She is also employed by the Minnesota Department of Health. It’s great to have her back! |
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We welcome also Stephanie Camacho, who joined St. Mary’s as an interpreter and helping to coordinate vaccine clinic schedules. Stephanie resides in Burnsville and has worked in translation and interpreter services with various organizations in the Twin Cities. |
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CLINIC NEWS
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Park Avenue Clinic is moving into a new and refreshed space in the lower level of Park Avenue Church. We are grateful for this updated space for the patients of St. Mary's.
Current Clinic sites include:
- St. Matt's - St. Paul
- Park Avenue - Minneapolis
- Fridley
- Mount Olivet Clinic @ St. Matt's - St. Paul
- Shakopee (2 days per week)
- St. Catherine University Clinic and OT/PT services - St. Paul
- St. Catherine University Nutrition - St. Paul
- Mental Health/Social Work visits - various clinic sites
- Mammo A-GO-GO (mobile mammography)
- Virtual Clinics held at Carondelet Center
Employment Opportunity:
Nursing Supervisor position open, please visit our website for details.
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VOLUNTEERS:
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT -
Holly Melroe, NP
I have been a volunteer at St. Mary's as a Nurse Practitioner clinic for about 20 years.
Most recently I had been working at Park Avenue Clinic providing basic primary care for patients once a month, and it was always a joy. I worked with a great group including a nurse, interpreter and intake person, and also a podiatrist!
Care planning and decision making was truly a team process. Often after seeing a patient, I would discuss patient dilemmas such as housing, depression, need for further education or clinical testing and we would problem solve together looking to find solutions as to what was best for the patient.
Due to the pandemic, I have been going to the Carondelet Center central office working with a nurse & interpreter reviewing charts, refilling medications and doing virtual appointments with patients.
I retired a year ago and feel blessed to have this opportunity to continue to provide
healthcare to persons in need.
St Mary's clinic is an amazing organization that helps meet the health needs of those without health insurance and is even more beneficial in these challenging times of a pandemic.
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- SMHC is in need of RN volunteers, admitting volunteers and drivers. Please share this information with friends and family!
- Contact Chris Hanson at chanson@stmarysclinics.org or 651-287-7701 for more information.
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COVID-19 vaccine clinics, coordinated by St. Mary's, have administered over 7500 doses since February 2021. |
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Thank you to our hosts, volunteers and 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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