San José Clinic: Keeping Houston healthy physically, medically and spiritually
March 24, 2015
HOUSTON — For more than 90 years, San José Clinic has made it its mission to provide quality health care and education to those in the greater Houston area who struggle the most with accessing care.
The clinic, including its staff, benefactors and volunteers, believe that keeping Houston healthy makes a positive impact on the economy, education system and families for everyone in the community.
Built on human dignity, rather than public policy, the mission of San José Clinic serves as a living example of Christ’s call to “Be Rich in Good Works... Ready to Share” (1 Timothy 6:18-19) — the theme of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) 2015 appeal.
A ministry of the Archdiocese, San José Clinic receives support from contributions to the DSF.
“We provide quality health care in a Catholic faith-based environment, including primary and specialty medical care, primary and specialty dental care, a full class A pharmacy, plus vision and radiology services,” said Paule Anne Lewis, president and CEO of San José Clinic. “In particular, our volunteer model is an example of Christ’s teaching and serves as a testament for all in our community to see the good work of so many, ready to share.”
Lewis said San José Clinic continues to expand volunteer corps in order to meet the increasing demand for services.
In 2014, the clinic welcomed 900 volunteers providing 23,212 hours of service at a value of $676,282.
These volunteers ranged from healthcare providers and dental professionals to church groups and families looking to support the clinic and their patients. One of the dedicated volunteers making a difference in the lives of people who come to San José Clinic in need is physician Dr. Mary Neal.
“I was a physician in private practice for 25 years, but I have never felt as appreciated by the patients, the staff, the administration as I have here at San José,” Neal said. “[San José Clinic] has a wonderful spirit of respect and care for the patients, that I feel is helping me to be a better person.”
San José Clinic, located in Houston’s Midtown at 2615 Fannin Street, was founded in 1922 by Monsignor George T. Walsh of Annunciation Catholic Church and a group that became the Charity Guild of Catholic Women.
In the following years, the clinic has grown from a small-frame house to a multi-level healthcare facility and the leading charity care provider of healthcare services for the underserved of Houston.
San José Clinic currently provides services to more than 4,000 individuals annually. As Houston has grown and changed, so have the clinic’s offerings based on its patients’ needs.
Today, the clinic offers a wide variety of services, with a focus on preventative care and chronic disease management.
Lewis said the demand for quality health care has continued to grow despite the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and many in the community were still left without access to health care after the ACA.
San José Clinic is the final safety net for many Houstonians who fell through the cracks of healthcare reform.
At the clinic, patients are asked to provide a contribution to their care, based on their income and family size, if possible, though no one is turned away for ability to pay.
Thousands in Houston struggling to access health care echo the words of Jason, a San José Clinic patient who lost all medical coverage after an automobile accident: “Coming to San José Clinic has been a miracle.”
To learn more about San José Clinic, visit sanjoseclinic.org or call 713-228-9411.