History
Telling Our Story . . . 1922 to Present
Since 1922, San José Clinic has provided healthcare and health education to economically disadvantaged individuals and families in the Greater Houston area.
San José Clinic began when Monsignor George T. Walsh, Pastor of Annunciation Catholic Church in downtown Houston, noticed the alarmingly high infant mortality rate among families in his parish. With a meager $50 budget, Monsignor Walsh set up the clinic in a small frame house on Franklin Street.
From that humble beginning, San José Clinic has quietly and steadfastly grown into a leading provider of quality healthcare services for individuals and families who struggle the most with accessing affordable healthcare. Now, the Clinic provides medical specialties, dental care and pharmaceutical needs to an estimated 5,000 patients annually who are uninsured and cannot otherwise afford these services.
Reflecting On Our Heritage
2009: The Clinic sees an increase in patients as Houston faces the recession, but that does not stop plans to move in December 2009.
Our Dental Department hosted the annual Sealant Day, on Feb 28, 2008, in partnership with Oral Health America and the Greater Houston Dental Hygiene Society. During this event, 44 children received 129 sealants with an in-kind value of $6,192. Children also received oral health instructions and a special appearance by the tooth fairy.
After nearly two years of planning (and one hurricane), our Art with Heart 2009 fundraiser was held on April 25, 2009. Event Chair Ruth Dougherty, Core Committee members, Didi Garza, Danielle Collins, Cita Breitenwischer, Barb Heilman, and Larry Massey, Development Director Sue Murchison and the development team, did an amazing job leading our staff and the dedicated volunteer team to execute this event. Thanks to the coordinated effort of literally hundreds of volunteers, artists, including our Featured Artists, Susu Meyer, Kay Sarver, Arthur Turner, and underwriters, the event featured 225 pieces of donated artwork, food and beverages graciously donated by 25 different companies and individuals, and the perfect Three Allen Center setting generously donated by Paul Layne and Brookfield Properties.
We appreciate the privilege of recognizing Cardinal DiNardo as the Art with Heart Portrait of Compassion Honoree. In a special moment, celebrity auctioneer Jim McIngvale auctioned Cardinal’s portrait by artist Lori Avramis, to Russ and Ginger Hollenbeck, who magnanimously gave it back to the Clinic. In all, the event raised nearly $125,000 and was attended by nearly 700 people, exceeding our 2007 event.
_________________________________________________
2008: The Clinic treats 4,803 patients through 34,849 patient visits. This was achieved with the help of 460 volunteers—215 patient care and 245 patient support. Altogether our volunteers provided us with a total of 13,465 hours of their time at an estimated value of $454,043.
The recent Strategic Assessment of the Houston Primary Care Safety Net, initiated by the Harris County Healthcare Alliance and funded by Houston Endowment, found San José Clinic's physician and dental productivity ahead of its peers in Harris County, the Federally Qualified Health Clinic’s in Texas, and the national mean/median. San José Clinic was the only charity clinic included in the study, which included Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), city and county clinics. Further, the report commended San José Clinic as a charity clinic for operating with such efficiency, and credits the Clinic with a very thorough planning process that drives decisions, and indicates the Clinic is filling an important niche in the community. The overall assessment endorses the Clinic’s strategic direction for growth and expansion of specialty care.
In March, we shared Easter with our youngest patients at our annual Children’s Easter Party. Members of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women sponsor this charming event. 70 children from 32 families enjoyed face painting, Easter baskets, prizes, clown, and homemade Easter cookies, with the added joy of a photo with the Easter Bunny, aka Seminarian Victor Perez.
Due to Hurricane Ike, San José Clinic postponed our fundraiser, Art with Heart until April 2009.
San José Clinic breaks ground for the new building in November 2008, preparing for the move in the following year. We began to shape future working relationship with Catholic Charities as one of our partners in the new building. Our vision to offer San José Clinic patients access to a full spectrum of social services, including basic needs, financial assistance, immigration assistance, case management, family and individual counseling and mental health is coming true.
__________________________________________________
2007: San José Clinic's dedicated volunteer corps tops 511 persons, contributing 12,931 service hours valued at more than $335,594.
Art with Heart fundraiser: The 2nd Annual Art with Heart event is held May 5, 2007 at Lawndale Art Center. Chaired by former Board Member Didi Garza and current Board Members Barb Heilman and Larry Massey, the event raises a net of approximately $103,000 for San José Clinic. Honoring rheumatologist and long-time Clinic volunteer, Dr. Sandra Sessoms, the event is attended by over 500 people and features a silent and live auction of professional, student and St. Dominic Village resident art. St. Dominic Village is a retirement center for retired lay people and priests.
Saying good-bye to Spring Branch: Throughout 2007, San José Clinic's Spring Branch. services is consolidated into the Downtown location. Energy and resources focus on the new building location preparations while the consolidation enhances current services.
Dental service consolidation creates a 15% increase in dental patient care.
March 2007, gynecological services were transferred to the Downtown location.
Reassignment of the contract Family Practice physician in July 2007 enables Downtown location to offer a family practice clinic every day, restoring pediatric care, including immunizations. The reassignment also permits a "walk-in" services to adults and children.
The ground blessing: On September 5, Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza blesses the ground of San José Clinic's relocation site. Speakers include Sr Lillian Ann Healy, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Les Cave, head of CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare, and Stacie Cokinos of San José Clinic. Approximately 100 persons attend the brief celebration held across the street from where the clinic and partner organizations will be located at Fannin, San Jacinto, Dennis, and McGowan streets.
__________________________________________________
2006: San José Clinic provides care to 4,750 individuals through 27,157 Clinic visits. A remarkable corps of 448 volunteers continues to bless the Clinic's patients, offering a total of 11,692 service hours.
San José Clinic is oldest charity U.S. clinic: At the National Association of Free Clinics National Summit staff learn San José Clinic is one of the oldest charity clinics in the United States, underscoring the Clinic's history, mission and 85-year legacy.
CEO Stacie Cokinos named to charitable clinic association: Executive Director Stacie Cokinos, is elected to serve on the board of the Lone Star Association of Charitable Clinics, giving her an opportunity to share best practices with other clinics across Texas and to promote advocacy and support for charity clinics and healthcare for the uninsured.
Clinic Board establishes medical director position: The new Board of Directors Program Services Committee, led by Board Member Benjamin Lichtiger, MD, launches several initiatives to ensure quality of Clinic services. The committee establishes and recruits Hilda T. Vollero, MD to fill the voluntary medical director position. They update the volunteer provider credentialing process and establish a peer review process. They also recommend a quality management model and establish a new list of available medicines to ensure effective and maximum use of donated pharmaceuticals. Nearly $1 million of free medications are received this year.
2006-2010 Strategic Plan Launched: In February, the Board of Directors and Clinic managers meet. Board member Susan Stromatt ably facilitates a 5-year strategic plan--San José Clinic's first primary objective is to replace the current facility by 2010.
Plans for a new Clinic building: Following the sale of St. Joseph Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Board, later renamed CHRISTUS Foundation for Healthcare, suggests a partnership with San José Clinic. The partnership maintains a mission presence in downtown Houston to continue the healthcare ministry of the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. This is a national model of collaboration between Catholic healthcare and a Catholic Diocese, entities who typically work parallel to each other. The Foundation and Clinic jointly study the feasibility of the Foundation building a new home to replace San José Clinic's current downtown facility.
First Aid for San José Clinic fundraiser: Board members Barb Heilman and Karen Clifton co-chair two fundraising events, Art with Heart and First Aid, netting approximately $56,000 for San José Clinic. New Board Member Larry Massey advocates a fundraising event focusing on local artists. Held March 10th at Houston's Center for Contemporary Craft, Art with Heart honors Dr. Rafael Espada and features a silent auction of professional and student art. A luncheon event, First Aid, follows the next day. Dr. Susannah Heschel, the Eli Black Associate Professor and Chair of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth University, presents Your Compassionate Spirit: An Interfaith Dialogue at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.
4th Annual Parsley Charity Golf Classic: In 2003, the children of Robert and Georganna began the Parsley Charity Golf Classic to honor their parents, who believed deeply in giving back to the community. Mr. and Mrs. Parsley served on the Board of Directors of San José Clinic and were ardent supporters of the Clinic throughout their lives. Held August 24th at the Redstone Golf Club, the event raises $56,000. With Board Member Phil Morabito's influence, San José Clinic is the recipient of the funds raised.
New building site land purchased: By December, CHRISTUS Foundation for Healthcare purchased site for San José Clinic's new home. The Midtown block, bordered by Fannin, McGowen, San Jacinto, and Dennis streets, is located near the MetroRail and several bus routes providing easy access for patients and volunteers.
__________________________________________________
2001, December: San José Clinic opens its first satellite branch in the Spring Branch Development Center. It provides pediatric, women’s health and dental services in a unique, collaborative environment with a cadre of other social service providers.
________________________________________________
1960’s—1980’s: Collaborative agreements with some of Houston's most prominent medical institutions formalizes and increases available services. With the help of teaching and faculty partnerships and the generosity of many private practice doctors, San José Clinic can offer a wide array of medical services to the uninsured. In 1981, the Charity Guild of Catholic Women pledges an annual gift of $50,000 for the pediatric clinic, which continues to this day.
__________________________________________________
1956: The Clinic moves to its present site, 301 Hamilton Street, opening to patients on March 29th. The Scanlan Foundation provides the $160,000 fire-proof and air-conditioned building. Its 4,600 square feet is divided into 24 rooms to provide medical and dental care.
__________________________________________________
1954: Construction of a "new super highway" forces the Clinic to move from Canal Street to Clayton Homes, 1919 Runnels Street, where two connecting apartments are temporarily converted. There is also a change in leadership from the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.
__________________________________________________
1947: Following the war, the Board of Directors reorganizes and reopens the Clinic. On March 19, Feast Day of St. Joseph, Bishop Christopher Byrne blesses the building, renamed as San José Clinic. The Clinic begins charging a small fee, 50 cents, for the initial visit and the cost of the medicine. The patient might pay 25 cents for a future visit and 5 cents for medicine, Epsom salts and boric acid.
__________________________________________________
1946: The supervision of the Clinic is turned over to the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception from Patterson, NJ. With many of the Clinic's volunteers serving in WWII, Clinic use declines. However, the City of Houston uses the Clinic building to distribute inoculations and food.
__________________________________________________
1940: An October 6th Houston Chronicle article extols the accomplishments of the Clinic: "…over 1,000 patients per month are treated …and over 1,200 prescriptions are filled. How the clinic does so much on such a small amount of money is the result of the work of a practical group of women who manage the clinic so efficiently. All the Doctors donate their services. . . . The place is medically ship-shape and scrupulously clean. Patients are treated by specialists…"
__________________________________________________
1938: To date, many of the volunteers who were with the Clinic in 1924 remain, including the ladies of the N.C.C.W., the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, and many of the doctors. More than 1,300 patients and their family members attend the first Christmas party. School age children are given a toy, candy and fruit while infants receive clothing and a rattle. The Christmas party becomes an annual San José Clinic event.
__________________________________________________
1932: By November 1932, a total of 13,623 patients have received care. According to the Harris County Medical authorities, the infant mortality rate among Houston's Mexican population drops by 65% with the establishment of the Clinic. There are four paid staff members: a social worker, a supervisor and two assistants. Volunteers provide all other services, including adult medicine, dermatology, ENT, pre-natal care, pediatrics, laboratory and dental treatment. The Community Chest donates half of the Clinic's $500 monthly expenses.
__________________________________________________
1925: A move into a well-constructed frame house at 1909 Canal Street provides the Clinic with much needed space. A large front porch serves as a waiting room for the overflow of patients and offers a place for the children to play. On the first day of the Clinic, one elderly patient is treated. He must have spread the good word as a large number of mothers with their babies, and some adults, receive treatment the following day. In 1928, the Clinic changes its name to "Mexican Clinic" and becomes a member of the Community Council, known now as the United Way of Greater Houston.
__________________________________________________
1922/24: Identifying a high mortality rate among Mexican children in Houston, the bishop of the Diocese of Galveston asks the newly formed National Council of Catholic Women (N.C.C.W.) to open a health clinic to address this problem. With a $50.00 loan from Msgr. George Walsh, the women rent a frame house at 1900 Franklin Street and open what is known now as San José Clinic. Then, the sign over the door read "CLINICA GRATUITA." With volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses and other medical professionals and donations from friends, drug companies and hospitals, the Clinic's work begins. It also begins a relationship between the newly organized Charity Guild of Catholic Women and San José Clinic that endures today.
