Community Corner

Free Medical Clinic Opens its Doors to Dozens of Patients

The clinic operates in the Zablocki Park Pavillion.

Editor's Note: This article is courtesy of Philippine Center Executive Director Gerry Ramos. For photos from the event, be sure to click on the attached PDF.

The finally opened its doors and had its  first Free Medical Clinic at the Zablocki Park Pavilion, 3717 W. Howard Ave., Saturday March 10, 2012.

Philippine Center Executive Director Gerry Ramos and Free Medical Clinic Director Dr. Violeta Singson, together with the Zablocki Park Manager Dan Roddy, led the doctors, volunteers and  patients in the blessing ceremonies officiated by Fr. Jojo Orosa of St. Camillus.

Find out what's happening in Greenfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This event at Zablocki Park Pavilion reinforced the the partnership between the Philippine Cultural and Civic Center Foundation (PCCCF) and the Milwaukee County Parks (MCP). Major improvements to the Zablocki County Park Pavilion had been made. Energy efficient windows were installed to replace the old ones. Electrical and HVAC have been updated. New air conditioning units will be installed by spring. New carpets were installed, interior walls painted, existing floors dusted, mopped and cleaned. Furniture and equipment are now in place. Free Clinic waiting area seats 50 patients at a given time. Examination and triage rooms are fully operational.

The Zablocki County Park Pavilion is now revitalized and has regained its beauty. Through the Philippine Cultural and Civic Center Foundation and its programs, the pavilion will be utilized to its fullest extent.

Find out what's happening in Greenfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Saturday, March 11, 2012 marked the first day when the PCCCF first opened its  Free Medical Clinic doors to patients who started lining up as early as 7:30 a.m. despite its operational starting hour of 9 a.m.

Prior to the opening of its clinic doors to patients, special prayers and blessings for the volunteers and community were made. Patients were surprised to see balloons, flowers and a festive environment with doughnuts, cookies and drinks offered to them while they wait to be cared for by the doctors.

The Philippine Center Free Medical Clinic patients now total  2,750 and had been seen more than 7000 times. A lot of the patients use the FMC as their main source of health care and medication. The assistance of the Philippine Medical Association of WI (PMA-W), the Philippine Nurses Association of WI (PNA), UPAAW, Medical College of WI, UWM and Marquette students and other volunteers have sustained the success of the program. In 2011, 2,347 patients were seen and the free medical services, medication, laboratory and imaging expenses amounted to $304,000.

 An estimated 103,000 people in Milwaukee County have no health insurance.  Many more are underinsured or undocumented.  The age and ethnicity of clients is requested of those seen at the Clinic, but clients are not asked about their income. The Clinic serves people regardless of race, age, gender, religion, employment or immigration status.  Services and medications are provided to all absolutely free. 

Many people “fall through the cracks” of the healthcare system in the U.S.  The PCCCF Free Medical Clinic serves thousands of these people a year, and will continue to do so as long as there are people who cannot afford basic medical care.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here