On December 3, La Clinica conducted its’ first free monthlyclinic at St Vincent de Paul. The purpose of these clinics is to improve the health of the homeless by providing quality medical and mental health services and referrals.  The central focus of the service is to provide a compassionate, confidential and safe environment.  The clinic is the outcome of research done by student nurses from OHSU last year at SVDP. These nurses did extensive research on the health needs of the homeless by administering a comprehensive esurvey and analyzing the results.  

It was obvious in reviewing these results that there is a significant need for healthcare support for the homeless in our valley along with aneed for the tools and knowledge that the homeless would find it difficult to otherwise acquire. It was also determined that significant barriers stood in the way of receiving this kind of care; financial limitations, transportation challenges and distrust of providers being the most central. In addition, it was clear thatthe largest local audience with these needs could be found at SVDP, where a level of trust had been established with this audience, trustthat would facilitate providing theses ervices. The services that are being offered include blood pressure

 screening, vision screening, diabetic screening, drug and alcohol screening and referrals, to include referrals for more intensive care at the La Clinica facility. No appointments are necessary and visitors are served on a first come-first serve basis. Staff available include RNs, mental health counselor, interns, intake volunteers and benefit specialists.  Use of the clinic was lighter than expected because it will take awhile for word to get out. Initially informational posters were placed around our facility and now word is being sent to the other shelter managers in our area. Both adults and children attended the first clinic and a variety of medical problems were seen. Future clinics will be conducted the second Thursday of each month from 10:30 to 1:30 in our Shelter.
La Clinica also hopes to provide tetanus, pneumonia and, possibly, influenza vaccinations in the future. 

David Dismuke, Community Outreach Coordinator for La Clinica commented, “I was impressed by how much time and effort the OHSU student nurses and the SVSP staff put into planning the first clinic. It was incredible to see the melding of the minds and resources and greatly appreciated at La Clinica.” •