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News Releases / Full Story
April 14, 2008
Asthma Clinic Celebrates 10 Years of Service to Community
Free Care Has Helped Thousands With Asthma
Created in 1998, the Dean/St.
Mary's Neighborhood Asthma Clinic 
celebrated
ten years of providing free medical care and pharmaceuticals
to help patients manage their asthma. Dean Health System, St.
Mary’s
Hospital, Dean Foundation and Dean Health Plan all support
the free neighborhood clinic, aimed at assisting the area’s most
underserved population. In 2007, 94% of our patients were uninsured
and 17% were non-English speaking.
Located near the Allied Drive neighborhood off Verona Road,
the clinic operates every Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m.
Physicians and staff members from Dean Health System and St. Mary’s Hospital volunteer their time and expertise each week. Medications are provided free-of-charge by pharmaceutical companies. Patients receive quality screening, diagnosis, education and treatment of their asthma. The clinic also allows healthcare providers the opportunity to develop better diagnostic and treatment skills in treatment of patients with asthma.
The Dean/St. Mary’s Neighborhood Asthma Clinic offers care to patients who may otherwise not receive medical treatment for their asthma. Some of these individuals choose to seek care through urgent care clinics or hospital emergency rooms, which can be the most expensive form of care. Brent Kooistra, MD, long-time clinic volunteer and one of its founders, says his patients are grateful for the specialized care.
“Feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Dr. Kooistra. “These patients find their quality of life has improved, they seek other medical care less frequently and attending school or work becomes easier despite having allergies and asthma.”
The Dean/St. Mary’s Neighborhood Asthma Clinic has received numerous local and statewide awards for its contribution to improving healthcare for the greater population. To speak with Dr. Kooistra or clinic coordinator Lynn Edebohls, please contact Melissa Wollering at 250-1504. You may also arrange to attend an asthma clinic any Tuesday evening for patient opportunities by calling 250-1504.
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