2013 Spring - Catherine`s Health Center

Catherine’s
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‘We didn’t know all you could do’
Volume 17, No. 1
Spring, 2013
Catherine’s plays vital role
for patients in need of care
new patient.
“We didn’t know all you could do!” he
said. “At my regular doctor, when I had insurance, I couldn’t have gotten the care I get
here.”
From blood pressure medication to referrals for physical therapy, eye care, a sleep
study and a colonoscopy, Mr. T said he is
“tickled to death” by the care he has received at Catherine’s.
“If only we could win the Lotto,” he said,
“my wife and I’d cut a big check to Catherine’s.”
For now, they happily make a regular $10
donation at their visits.
“You’ve got to take care of the people
who take care of you,” he said.
Mr. T has learned how to take care of
himself this year, too. A year after he was
admitted to the hospital for TIA, a condition
in which blood flow to a part of the brain
stops for a brief period, Mr. T made a decision to change his lifestyle. After 50 years,
he decided to quit smoking. He remembers
exchanging a high-five with his provider,
Krista, when he told her his decision: “I
started thinking, ‘Everyone’s helping me
out to help me feel better; I should help myself out, too.’”
Your support allows Catherine’s to take
care of patients like Mr. T, who, in turn,
learn to take care of themselves.
taling well over 11,000 hours, improved the
health, education and welfare of our entire
community. Your prayers and encouragement inspire and encourage us as we become an increasingly respected and highly
valued component of our community’s
health care delivery system.
In a very real sense, Catherine’s story is
your story. When you read about a patient
who found and now relies on Catherine’s,
ask yourself what part your gift may have
played in this person’s health care.
Consider this comment by Dr. Mark
Davis, volunteer optometrist here: “Ninetynine percent of the people I see and treat
here are happy when they leave.” Such satisfaction and attentive health care would not
be possible without your help.
On behalf of the patients we serve, thank
you from all of us at Catherine’s Health
Center. We look forward to your partnership
through the challenges and opportunities of
another year as we commit to building on
the successes you have made possible.
By Lyndi Weener-Kuiper
AmeriCorps VISTA member
When “Mr. T” first came to Catherine’s,
he didn’t know what he was getting into.
He and his wife first visited in the fall of
2012, thanks to a referral from a friend.
“After her first visit, we kept waiting for
a bill to come,” Mr. T said. “We didn’t understand why they weren’t asking us for
money.”
Mr. T, a retired independent contractor,
was familiar with medical bills. After retiring, he found himself falling through the
gap. No longer working, he was uninsured,
but, in his early 60s, he still had a couple of
years before he was eligible for Medicare.
Two hospital visits during that time left his
family several thousand dollars in debt.
By the end of his wife’s first office visit at
Catherine’s, Mr. T signed up to become a
Vital care: “Mr. T” gets his blood
pressure checked at Catherineʼs.
From the director: Supporters are key to clinic’s success
By Karen Kaashoek
CHC Executive Director
Each spring provides the opportunity for
us to reflect on what you make possible for
our community through Catherine’s Health
Center and to look forward to what may be
in store.
I invite you to take a moment to celebrate
that your gifts to our neighbors and patients,
through Catherine’s Health Center, help us
annually provide more than 6,500 contacts
with our patients. Your volunteer time, toA publication of
Catherine’s
H E A LT H C E N T E R
1211 Lafayette Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, (616) 336-8800 www.catherineshc.org
What does the future hold for Catherine’s?
Catherine’s HEADLINES
Page 2
Affordable Care Act
will change health care but
won’t make clinic obsolete
By John A. Walen, M.D.
CHC Medical Director
With so much information circulating
about the Affordable Care Act, also known
as Obamacare, health care reform, or the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,
many people wonder what the future looks
like for Catherine’s Health Center. While
answers still are taking shape, we want to
share what we understand and invite your
questions and comments.
Q: If everyone has health care coverage, will Catherine’s still be needed?
Our response is a resounding “Yes!” for
several reasons. First, even if every eligible
person has coverage, there is no guarantee
that providers not already part of the safetynet system will be able to absorb an influx
of patients.
Second, safety-net providers such as
Catherine’s are a vital part of the health care
delivery system. We fully expect that the
people who look to us for care will expect
our care to continue.
Third, since there is a growing shortage
of providers for general medical care,
Catherine’s is a valued and necessary resource.
Fourth, current estimates are that even
when the law is implemented, nearly
300,000 people in Michigan still will lack
health care coverage.
Q: Does the Affordable Care Act mean
Catherine’s will be publicly funded?
While it is possible that some public
funds will be available, it is increasingly
clear that voluntary gift support will remain
a critically necessary resource if we are to
continue to offer “Open Doors and Quality
Care.”
Q: What is Catherine’s doing now to
prepare for the law’s implementation?
For some time, we have been gathering
information and participating in discussions
with other providers and key players in the
health care delivery system. We remain
committed to being a part of the solution to
the health care challenge for those in our
community, many of whom may be described as “the working poor” who are at
risk.
Q: Where can I get more information?
There are many sources of information.
Here are some we find particularly helpful:
• Michigan Primary Care Association –
www.mpca.net
• Michigan League for Public Policy –
www.mlpp.org
• Expand Medicaid – www.expandmedicaid.com
• And you can find updates and information on our website: www.catherineshc.org
Q: How can I make a difference?
We encourage you to remain or become
informed. Gather information from multiple sources you consider to be reliable and
trustworthy. Contact us with questions.
Contact your legislators with your opinions.
There is a window of opportunity that appears likely to remain open until June, but
don’t delay. Voice your opinion today. And
please continue to help us be part of the solution.
Development director: ‘You can be a healer’
Catherine’s Health Center
relies on generous donors
to help carry out its mission
By Ron Rozema
CHC Development Director
What a pleasure it has been to meet and
speak with so many friends of Catherine’s
Health Center during the past few months.
Your enthusiasm for our mission and
work, your eagerness to learn more about
how your gifts matter and your keen interest in making life better for others are all
very inspiring. Thank you.
We value your continued support, and our
patients rely on you to help with a vitally
necessary expense they simply cannot meet
on their own. In so many cases, these are
people who are working but do not qualify
for any health care coverage. You are the
difference — in a real way, you are their
healer.
We invite you to consider joining others
by making a regular monthly gift through
our Sustaining Circle.
Feel free to use the enclosed envelope
Working the
phone: Ron
Rozema,
development
director at
Catherineʼs
Health Center,
speaks to a
donor.
and mention “Sustaining Circle” or simply
visit us at www.catherineshc.org and look
for the link to a printable form to arrange
your monthly gift. On behalf of those who
will benefit from your healing gift, thank
you very much.
Spring 2013
Page 3
Adomaitis, Violette ! Advanced Radiology Services, P.C. ! Alaimo, Salvatore ! Amash, Louise ! Anderson, Shelley & Loftis, Peter ! Area Agency
On Aging Of West Michigan, Inc. ! AstraZeneca ! Atherton, Julie ! Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund ! Bailey, Debra ! Baldwin Street CRC !
Banghart, Mary ! Barb, McKellar ! Barnes, Tom ! Barrette, Madeleine ! Bashaw, Larry & Rita ! Bassett, Kevin and Michelle ! Battaglia, Jerry &
Margaret ! Battles, Pamela ! Bauer, Daniel & Barbara ! Baugh, Terry & Kerri ! Baumann, Richard ! Beard, Laurie ! Beck, Marcella ! Beineman,
Barbara ! Benardino, Abby Erin ! Berens, Rita ! Beta Sigma Phi – Laureate Beta Beta ! Betz, Irene & Brad ! Beyer, Darlene ! Bickel, Lori !
Bielema, John & Judith ! Birhann, Juhar ! Blanchard, Jim & Cheryl ! Blaskowski, Gail ! Blessed Sacrament Parish ! Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Michigan ! Bolthouse, Daniel & Kelly ! Borgman, Fred ! Boruta, Herman & Jean ! Bossenbroek , Lorin & Deb ! Bouwknegt, Diane & Richard !
Bratt, James & Tina ! Bricker, Terrance & Deborah ! Brom, Richard J & Sally K ! Brown, Edward ! Brown, Marge ! Brundage, Scott ! Bulman
Products, Inc. Employees ! Burns, Kathleen ! Byrne, Brian & Teresa ! Byrne, Dr. James & Mrs. Sandra ! Cammenga, Cheryl ! Carey, William !
Cavellini, William & Kate Byrne ! Cebelak Foundation ! Center For Physical Rehabilitation, Inc. ! Chatel, Mike ! Chemical Bank ! Christian,
Michael & Diana ! Cleypool, Mary ! Clouse, Larry & Regina ! Command, Paul & Mary ! Connolly, Kevin & Suzanne ! Cook Charitable Foundation
! Cook, Ruth ! Couch, Allan & Bonnie ! Countryside Tours, Inc. ! Creston Business Association ! Creston High School Class Of 1947 ! Cronin,
Rodney & Mary ! Cuncannan, Mike & Katie ! Czlonka, Chester ! Damon, Paul ! Damskey, Walt & Fran ! Deimel, Bonnie ! DeKraker, Kevin &
Kristi ! DeLapa, Judy ! Denhartigh, Ralph & Elaine ! Direct Relief International ! Disosway, Glenn & Sue ! Dochod, Elizabeth ! Doctors In
Training, LLC ! Dopke, Gary & Laurie ! Doty-Nation, Pamela ! Douthett, Cynthia ! Downer, Roman & Nawrocki, Christine ! Droste, Patrick &
Deborah ! Duba, Sandra ! Dutkiewicz, Robert ! Dynamic Captioning LLC ! Eggleston, Elizabeth J ! Eizenga, Douglas & Lori ! Ens, James &
Suzanne ! Essick, Michelle ! Family Medicine Specialists, PC ! Fedewa, Mike & Linda ! Ferris, Marcella ! Firlik, Mike & Terri ! Forester, Alayna !
Freeburg, Randy and Amy ! Freed, Michael & Paula ! Frey, Twink & McKay, Jim ! Garber, Anita ! GE Foundation ! Gilhoran, Fred & Fran !
Glupker, Maureen ! Glynn, Kelly & Vicki ! Golden "K" Kiwanis Club Grand Rapids ! Golder, Ed & Lisa ! Goodrich Quality Theaters ! Grant, Clark
& Ellen ! Gribbin, Drs. Thomas & Denise ! Haan, Paul & Nietling, Julie !
Hales, David & Connie ! Hamilton, James &
Kimberley ! Hanka, Andrew ! Hanover Insurance ! Harig, Allan &
Constance ! Harvey, Fred & Sue ! Hathaway,
Hattie ! Heagberg, Richard & Laura Ann ! Heald, Jane ! Hefferan,
Gloria ! Hefferan, Lawrence & Marilyn !
Hejna, David & Nancy ! Hernandez, Juan &
Suzanne ! Hoffman, Mark & Lisa !
Hogan, Michael & Mary ! Holy Redeemer
Parish ! Hoogterp, Mark & Laurie !
Hover, Robert & Marilyn ! Howard,
Richard & Kolleen ! Huhel, Jim &
Jeanne ! Inosencio, Robert ! Irwin,
Win & Kyle ! Jacoby, Holly ! John
LaPorte & Associates ! Johnston,
Deborah ! Kaashoek, Adrian &
Charlotte ! Kaashoek, John & Karen
! Kam, Kristen & Paul ! Karcis, John
& Mary ! Kelly, Kenneth & Mary
Ann ! Kemper, John & Donna !
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Kennedy, John & Nancy !
Kenneway, Ernie & Marlene !
Kenyon, Dr. Jeff ! Kersjes, J. !
Kilbourne,
Nancy & James ! Kim,
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Katherine & Tye ! Kimm, Eunice !
King, Mary ! Kirkwood, Bill &
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North
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Foundation ! Klinesteker, Larry &
Susan ! Knapp, Bob & Sharon !
Koelzer, Mike (Kay Pharmacy) !
Kokx, Nick & Pat ! Koss, David & Mary
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! Kozal, Ronald & Sandra ! Kozlowicz,
Emily ! Kozminski, Eugene & Linda !
Kozminski, Richard ! Kramer, Kathleen
! Krupp, David & Janet ! Kuks, Rita !
Lacina, Sam ! LaMange, Ron & Carol !
LaPorte, John & Julie ! LaPorte, Regina !
Laughter, Linda ! Leavitt, Helen ! Lehman,
James & Helen ! Lemon, Betty ! Levi, Carolyn
! Linden, Michael & Corita ! Loth, Karen !
Lynn, Frank & Jenny ! Lyons, Betty !
MacKeigan, John & Suzie ! Maddox, Sandra !
Matlak, Donna & John ! May, Jamie & Gerilyn !
May, Larry & Carol ! McGladdery, Laura !
McGuire, Michael & Sheila ! McNamara, Mark &
Jennifer ! McNeil, James & Mary ! Med-Tech Support !
Metro Health Hospital Medical Staff Account ! Metsker,
Peter & Julie ! Michigan Adventure Racing LLC ! Michigan
Cancer Consortium ! Michigan Dept. of Community Health
! Michigan Free Clinics ! Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones PLC !
Mikita, Dennis and Diane ! Milanowski, Henry & Diane !
Milhaupt, John & Margaret ! Mouw, Karen M ! Nivala, Angeline !
Nolan, Stephanie ! Nugent, Donald & Carole ! O'Brien, DDS, Jon
! Ogland-Hand, Suzann ! Olthoff, Delores ! Oppenner, Patricia ! Palmatier, Helen ! Palmer, Geraldine ! Perry, David & Susan ! Perry, Margo !
Petersen, Emily ! Peterson, Lisa ! Pettersch, Gerry & Gwen ! Pfizer Foundation ! Pickerd, Eileen ! Pinnacle Ins. Partners, LLC ! Portko, Susan !
Postema, Jim & Beth ! Priority Health ! Quinn, Thomas & Geraldine ! Rabaut, Louis & Lynn ! Rabe, Diane ! Radecki, Leonard & Carol ! Radecki,
Richard & Marcella ! Rhein, Gerri & Christopher ! Richards, Doug ! Rietberg, Dale & Sharon ! Riley, Dorothy ! Ripma, Janny & William ! Rivard,
Patty ! Robach, Kenneth & Mary ! Roberts, David & Nancy ! Robinson, Gregg & Mary Jane ! Rodebeck, Barbara ! Rodewald, Kathy ! Roersma,
Gerald & Susan ! Rosendall, Mary ! Roth, Stanley & Diana ! Royce, Tim & Teresa ! Rush, Jeffrey ! Sabin, John & Patricia ! Saganski, Stanley &
Phyllis ! Sage, Joseph & Debra ! Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church ! Saint John Vianney Church ! Saint Pius X Church ! Salerno, Brian & Maureen
! Savickas, Anna ! Schafer, Kevin & Jacqueline ! Schaub, Marcia ! Schmidt, John G ! Schneider, Werner & Assunta ! Scott, William & Mary !
Shaw, Ivan ! Simon, Melinda ! Smith, Patricia ! Sporte, Lauri ! Steelcase Foundation ! Stevenson, Theresa ! Stoll, Michele ! Susan G. Komen
Foundation Grand Rapids Affiliate ! Sutton, Gail ! Syrba, Gerald & Frances ! Terry, Isabelle ! The VanderKallen Family ! Thibodeau, Linda !
Thomas E. & Geraldine K Hogan Fund ! Thomas, Nancy Jean ! Tierney, Patrick & Sandra ! Tingley, William & Bridget Dupont-Tingley ! Tobin,
Bob & Colleen ! Tobin, David & Mary ! Townshend, Joseph & Karen ! Trent Henry Bunco Club ! Tuit, Nick & Nancy ! Tuit, Rhoda ! Van Huffel,
Phillip & Jean ! Van Oort, Robert ! Van Singel Family Foundation ! VanderHyde, Diane ! VanderMeulen, Bruce & Tammy ! VanderPoel, John &
Mary Jo ! VanderWoude, Marcia ! Vasicek, Edward & Shannon ! Velte, Robin ! Visockis, Vladislavs & Veronika ! Vogelsang, Phillip & Kathleen !
Walen, Mary Beth ! Waltman, Rex ! Wanrooy, Gayle ! Waranica, Gladys ! Wardrop, Maribeth ! Warner Norcross & Judd LLP ! Weener, Randy &
Sally ! Wege Foundation ! Weldon, William & Barbara ! West Side Community Council ! Westerhuis, Warren & Debbie ! Wildt, Larry & Kathy !
Willacker, James & Janice ! Williams, Nadina ! Wills, David & Judy ! Wimmer, Richard & Dorothy ! Winters, Jan ! Wittgens, Henry & Norma !
Woirol, Shirley ! Wood, Beverly ! Wright-Miller, Susan ! Zahn, Janet ! Zambon, Richard & Elizabeth ! Zambon, Rosemary ! Zeilstra, Edward &
Ruth ! Zimmerman, Gerald & Rita ! Zimmerman, Jack & Ruth ! Zipple, Matthew ! Zomer, Fred & Shelli ! Zuiderveen, John & Kathleen, and several
anonymous donors
Donate to Catherine’s Health Center
Catherine’s Health Center
1211 Lafayette Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
or online: www.catherineshc.org
Thank you for your support
Leonard Street NE
N
Lafayette Avenue NE
ties already have been confirmed. In January, Catherine’s
learned it was awarded a grant
of nearly $40,000 through the
Trivalent Group’s CompassionIT challenge to upgrade the
clinic’s technology.
February brought news the
AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation awarded a major grant
for the clinic’s Live Heart Smart
program.
Also this year, several longtime friends of Catherine’s have
confirmed a provision for the
clinic in their estate plans.
In sum, as Catherine’s faces
the challenge of health care, the
health center is encouraged by
the resources being shared, excited about the future, and eager
to participate in the evolving solution.
We invite you to share the experience by partnering with us.
enter
With 2013 well under way,
what does Catherine’s Health
Center envision for the months
ahead?
Clinically, we expect to complete more than 7,000 patient
contacts. Our commitment to
offering “Open Doors and Quality Care” remains strong; we
look forward to applying your
support to the effort.
Relationally, we look forward to maintaining and building on existing relationships; we
anticipate exploring and forging
new partnerships; and we look
forward to invitations into new
health care conversations.
Practically, we remain committed to managing every resource in a spirit of careful
stewardship and to assuring our
services are sustainable parts of
the health care solution.
Some specific new opportuni-
Carrier Street NE
Mission statement: Catherineʼs Health Center is a
nonprofit, community-based health facility dedicated to
serving low-income, uninsured residents of the northeast
sections of Grand Rapids, Michigan, primarily those who
live in the Creston and Belknap neighborhoods.
Services offered: Catherineʼs Health Center offers
examinations, immunizations, education, testing, screening
and referrals, and is a storehouse of information on how to
access health care needs.
Location & Hours: Located at 1211 Lafayette Ave. NE,
Grand Rapids, MI 49505, Catherineʼs is open by
appointment only, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to
4:00 p.m.
Information: 616-336-8800
Visit us online: www.CatherinesHC.org
Find us on Facebook
Catherine’s
Looking ahead
Catherine’s HEADLINES / Spring 2013
H E A LT H C E N T E R
1211 Lafayette Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Page 4
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