2020
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ANNUAL REPORT
ORDER OF MALTA CLINIC OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 1
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“Oakland is committed to eliminating systemic barriers to income equality and access to quality health care. Our city leads by example, and we intend to be a catalyst for a national dialogue and life-long change. The Order of Malta Clinic is a vital partner in realizing that vision, through the delivery of extraordinary, free health care to the most vulnerable among us – whether from their downtown clinic, or their expanded telehealth initiatives. “The Clinic and Oakland are intertwined in a shared belief that access to health care is the bedrock of a just, civil and healthy society. Thank you to the Clinic’s dedicated volunteers. You set an example for us all.” OAKLAND MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT
John Christian, Esq, KM S E C R E TA R Y
William J. Cumbelich, KM TREASURER
John Hallett, Prov VP
Timothy McInerney, Esq, KM V P O F E X T E R N A L A F FA I R S
L.J. Michael Lambert, KM
Elizabeth Bernard, Esq, DM Sara K. Cumbelich, DM Dan L. Field, MD, KM Bridget McInerney Harris, Esq, DM Marty Karpiel, MPA, FACHE, FHFMA, KM Charlotte Kiesel, DM Michael J. Matly, MD, KM Louis M. Meunier, KM John Rengel, KM – Ex Officio Mary M. Rudolph, NP, DM William F. Sheridan, MD, Prov Kathleen C. Toney, RN, DM Thomas Wallace, MD, KM Charles V. Wirth, KM
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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2020: A YEAR UNLIKE A N Y OT H E R A Message from Our President
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ABOUT THE CLINIC History, Mission and Vision
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FROM ZERO TO C A PA C I T Y The Pivot to Telehealth
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MEETING A GROWING DEMAND By the Numbers
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TEAMING UP WITH S U T T E R H E A LT H Mobile Mammography Services
MEET EILEEN C O N S O RT I , M D Director of Sutter Health’s Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center
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H O N O R I N G FA I T H , C A R E AND SERVICE Dr. Tom Wallace’s 90th Birthday Celebration Fundraiser
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IT’S BACK! 13th Annual Champions Gala
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M A RY R U D O L P H , N P, D M Volunteer Spotlight
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CARLOS WILSON Team Member Spotlight
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HELP US HELP MORE Planning for the Future
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RECOGNIZING A DECADE OF SERVICE A Tribute to Volunteers
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THOSE WHO INSPIRED US In Memoriam
FUNDING CLINIC O P E R AT I O N S Financial Overview
G I V I N G R E P O RT Partner Support Overview
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2020
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A YEAR UNLIKE ANY OTHER A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
In preparation for this annual letter, I looked back at my words from a year ago. Writing from my home office in April 2020 I said, “As I write this letter to our wonderful and generous Clinic community, we are still reeling from the greatest health care crisis of our lifetimes.” At the time, I didn’t realize that I was the master of understatement, and that 13 months later we would “still be reeling” not only from COVID-19 but from civil strife, inequities and social justice issues. Fast forward to May 2021, and I am now in my out-of-home office, fully vaccinated, and even more grateful and proud of our Clinic than I was a year ago. Over the last year, the “Miracle on 21st Street” lived up to its billing and then some, as our dedicated team of Board members and volunteer physicians, nurses and staff swung into action to make sure those who rely on us for care were still able to receive it – the worst pandemic in a century notwithstanding. Once the March 17, 2020 Shelter-in-Place order came down, the Miracle that is our Clinic took on an even deeper meaning, as our
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dedicated Board members and incredible staff of volunteers stepped up and out. Our Clinic medical team, under the direction of Dr. Vona Lorenzana, carefully maneuvered and honored the fine lines associated with caring for patients while protecting staff, continuously engaging with our community health care partners to make sure care was arranged and received without delay. Throughout the spring and summer months, our Board moved from once-a-month Board meetings to a weekly schedule over ZOOM, with committee and staff discussions in between. No job was too large, small or daunting for our team. Most urgently, we needed to fast-track our transition to Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), so we could move to a telehealth model. While we had begun the EMR process several years ago, thanks to a grant from Kareo, implementation hadn’t moved as quickly as planned. All that changed when Dr. Tom Wallace, our senior volunteer physician at 90-years-young, assumed the role of EMR champion, encouraging and teaching his colleagues how to get with the program! Board member Louis Meunier put his years of retail management and logistics expertise into play, running a one-person purchasing department to ensure staff had the requisite tablets, scanning devices and security infrastructure to support virtual visits. Board member Sara Cumbelich dove in as she always does to help fundraise, cheerlead, and nurture new relationships, including spearheading a partnership with Sutter Health for mobile mammography services. Along the way, she orchestrated a virtual 90th birthday fundraising celebration for Dr. Tom, ensuring our community stayed connected and positive during difficult times.
Our Vice President for External Affairs, Mike Lambert, provided encouragement and contacts at every turn. Tim McInerny, Betsy Bernard, Chuck Wirth and Bill Cumbelich provided Board leadership on Operations and Governance, making sure we were identifying efficiencies and best practices as we moved to a virtual delivery model. Prescriptions still had to be filled, lab tests administered, and in extraordinary cases, an in-person visit at the Clinic arranged. Service to our Clinic community tends to be a family affair, and Betsy also was able to enlist the expertise and guidance of her husband, noted epidemiologist Dr. Ken Bernard, to help inform our medical decisions. Former Treasurer and Emeritus Board member John Rengel stepped back in to work with John Hallett, who was new to his role; between them they kept our records and finances on track and in the black. Our Nominating Chair, Charlotte Kiesel, recruited four new outstanding Board members, KMs and DMs all, who add to our medical, operations and financial expertise. For the first time, we have Board members from outside our immediate service area, testament to my mantra that “once introduced, people fall in love with the Clinic,” and want to find a way to kindle that relationship. There isn’t space in this report to acknowledge each one of our 60-plus volunteer Clinic staff members who worked tirelessly under virtual and in-person circumstances, always putting others above themselves. However, I want each of you to know that you occupy a special space and place in my heart for the extraordinary gifts you give to our patients and to each other.
At some point, the scourge of COVID will fade from our day-to-day conversations and focus, but not the expanding needs for our Clinic’s services and expertise. We are actively working with the Bishop of Oakland, Michael C. Barber, SJ, on finding creative ways to improve and expand our facilities, including new patient exam rooms and waiting areas so we can safely and appropriately provide more excellent, dignified and comfortable care. Our mobile clinic, which we bought and refurbished in 2018, is still in need of furnishings, fixtures and medical equipment. We are committed to getting it on the road as soon as possible so our physicians, nurses and technicians can serve more uninsured patients throughout the Bay Area. Thirteen years ago, the Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California, with the help of the Western Association, was founded on a simple mission: uphold human dignity and care for people in need. The last year has given that premise new urgency and resonance, while reminding us that access to quality health care is an underpinning of a just, civil and inclusive society. Thank you for being part of a community of caring individuals who regardless of life’s difficulties— including a global health crisis—find ways to bring hope, health care and kindness to those who need it most.
John Christian, Esq, KM President Oakland, California | May 2021 5
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ABOUT THE CLINIC
The Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California is a nonprofit medical clinic located in downtown Oakland, California, adjacent to the Cathedral of Christ the Light. We provide free, onsite and virtual preventative health care services and treatment to uninsured and low-income patients – no questions asked. While the average span of faith-based medical clinics is just 2 1⁄ 2 years, our clinic has been in operation for more than 13 years and continues to grow in services, number of patients served and geographic reach. We are dedicated to healing and helping the Bay Area’s uninsured communities, within an atmosphere of trust, compassion, and state-of-the-art facilities and care.
OUR HISTORY The Clinic was first envisioned in 2005 by the Bishop of Oakland, Allen Vigneron and the President of the Western Association of the Order of Malta, Richard Madden, GCM. Rising from the Order of Malta’s commitment to practice charity to the sick and the poor, both men saw the opportunity to positively impact the health and well-being of the uninsured and underrepresented of the Greater Bay Area. In 2008, several devoted Knights and Dames of the Order, under the leadership of the first President of the Clinic, Bill McInerney, KM, partnered with the Western Association and the Diocese of Oakland to create the very successful Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California.
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OUR MISSION Uphold human dignity and care for people in need.
SERVICES AND S P E C I A LT I E S We offer comprehensive preventative health care services and treatment, including:
VOLUNTEER LED Our team is comprised of more than 60 volunteer physicians, nurses and support staff, all committed to delivering high-quality care to those who need it most. PRI MARY C ARE
C ARD I OLOGY
O N CO LO G Y
GY NEC OLOGY
D ERMATOLOGY
P O D IA TR Y
END OC RI NOLOGY
GASTROENTEROLOGY
P ULM O N O LO G Y
NEUROLOGY
OTORHI NOLARY NGOLOGY
S O CIA L S E R V ICE S
A LEGACY OF COMPASSION AND CARE The Order of Malta’s story began more than 900 years ago in 1048 A.D., when a group of hospitaller monks of the Order of St. John were asked to manage and staff a hospital in Jerusalem, caring for pilgrims and travelers of various faiths. That group of monks acted accordingly, and thereby founded the organization presently known as the Order of Malta, a lay order of the Catholic Church which ministers to the sick and the poor of many nations. Today, we are honored to carry on the Order of Malta’s legacy of service to the sick and poor by caring for the Bay Area’s uninsured and underrepresented communities. This includes undocumented families who are wary of seeking medical attention at physician offices or hospitals, as well as patients who do not visit a doctor regularly or have received little to no medical attention in recent years. For these individuals, our clinic is their only source of safe medical care, in an environment of trust and compassion.
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FROM ZERO TO CAPACITY THE PIVOT TO TELEHEALTH In 2020, when the Clinic was forced to halt onsite patient visits due to Alameda County’s shelter-inplace mandate, patient care fell to zero. Clinic leadership accelerated the implementation of Kareo, a telehealth software solution, and slowly— by the end of the year—we were back operating at capacity. Implementation of the technology required significant staff training, but with an incredible collaborative effort, operations shifted and scaled to a fully virtual care model—at warp speed. The medical team embraced the change, and physicians switched to phone and video consultations. Leveraging new digital recordkeeping tools, doctors working remotely were able to access patient histories, order lab tests and prescribe medications electronically. 8
As onsite visits resumed, in a reduced capacity in accordance with health and safety guidelines, demand for virtual care remained high. In fact, we surpassed annual projections for telehealth visits and were able to care for patients far beyond the San Francisco Bay Area, including individuals in other parts of the U.S. and abroad. We will continue to expand our telehealth features including the patient portal for online scheduling, patient-staff communications and enhanced video conferencing.
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BY THE NUMBERS POST-PANDEMIC OPERATIONS RECOVERY
A N N UA L PAT I E N T V I S I T S
Many economists, with mounting economic data, are pointing to a V-shaped recovery as the nation and the world emerge from the pandemic. The trend is fueled by increased vaccination rates, a rise in consumer confidence and spending reflective of pent-up demand. A microcosm of the world around us, our clinic is showing a similar pattern. We are seeing a V-shaped return to patient visits, both in-person and virtual—via our highly successful telehealth initiative. Projected patient visits for 2021 are forecasted to be above 6,000, 30 percent above our last “normal” year in 2019.
The figure above highlights the growth in patient visits over time, and an expected v-shaped recovery in 2021 —based on current care figures and future projections in demand for services.
A FOCUS ON STAFF DEVELOPMENT
100% percent of our medical staff received telehealth training.
MEETING PATIENT NEEDS
ACCESS TO VIRTUAL CARE
2,670
72%
patient visits were facilitated virtually and onsite.
percent of patients accessed care through telehealth services.
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TEAMING UP WITH SUTTER HEALTH FOR MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES The Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, part of Sutter Health’s not-for-profit integrated network of care, in 2020 launched a mobile mammography van to provide convenient access to screening mammography services for underserved women and to help improve early detection of breast cancer. We have partnered with Sutter Health to offer onsite mobile mammography services to our patients, and hosted the van’s inaugural screening event in December, which was enthusiastically received by physicians, patients and local media. The van is equipped with 3D mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis) and offers a comfortable waiting area as well as a private changing and exam room. The mobile unit was made
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possible by a grant from Peter Read, co-founder of Grocery Outlet, in honor of his wife Carol Ann Read who passed away from breast cancer, and a Sutter match grant. Sutter Health is a long-time community partner and supporter of the Order of Malta Clinic, and has played an instrumental role in helping our team provide access to preventative care for many patients in need.
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“It’s life-saving for me. They took the time to call me, to send me a paper. They do everything for me.” SANDRA NAVARETTE
Patient, Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California
“Having this mobile mammography van, in partnership with Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and Sutter Health, means so much to our clinic. Bringing this technology to those who are underserved means the world to them. Having the mobile van here is a godsend.” MARIA GAMULO-OWEN, NP, RN
Nurse Supervisor, Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California 11
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MEET
EILEEN CONSORTI, MD DIRECTOR OF SUTTER HEALTH’S CAROL ANN READ BREAST HEALTH CENTER
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“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Those inspiring words from Helen Keller frame the collaborative, inclusive spirit that has always been at the heart of the Clinic’s philosophy and success. Over the last 18 months, Keller’s mantra has been exemplified and amplified through extraordinary community partnerships, notably with Sutter Health and its Berkeley hospital, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. Dr. Eileen Consorti, a noted breast cancer surgeon, former Alta Bates’ medical staff president and chief of surgery, has been the impetus for much of this success. Among her numerous responsibilities and accomplishments, Dr. Consorti heads the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center at Alta Bates Summit, and has been the engine behind the rollout of Sutter Health’s mobile mammography services. The van’s inaugural visit to the Clinic in December 2020 was an amazing statement and ray of hope to physicians, patients and staff, with the knowledge that women without insurance now have access to top-flight technology and diagnostics, including 3D digital mammography, a comfortable waiting area and private changing and exam rooms.
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“Finding breast cancer at its earliest possible stage is critical to survival, and early detection through regular mammograms remains the best defense against the disease. As an oncologist, surgeon and breast cancer survivor, this cause is very personal to me. Our mobile mammography van will provide screenings to hundreds of women each year, many of whom, such as those at the Order or Malta Clinic, are uninsured.”
This Community Benefit Partnership with Sutter Health has propelled the Order of Malta Clinic forward in ways unimaginable a few years ago, says the Clinic’s medical director, Vona Lorenzana, MD. She cites Sutter Health’s partnership and support of mobile mammography services, as well as for Electronic Medical Records, as pivotal to navigating the constraints of providing care during COVID-19. “It may seem counterintuitive, but COVID actually increased our ability to serve our patients, and the sense of community and cooperation that made that possible has been extraordinary,” she says. “Finding breast cancer at its earliest possible stage is critical to survival, and early detection through regular mammograms remains the best defense against the disease,” Dr. Consorti says. “As an oncologist, surgeon and breast cancer survivor, this cause is very personal to me. Our mobile mammography van will provide screenings to hundreds of women each year, many of whom, such as those at the Order or Malta Clinic, are uninsured. “I attended Loyola University’s Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago and was admitted to the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society,” Dr. Consorti says. “This honor first acquainted me with the work of the Order to Malta to bring care to those in greatest need. It is a passion I have carried forward through my residency at the University of Minnesota, and my research fellowship at MD Anderson in Houston. Today, back home in my native California, I am honored to be able help others avoid, detect and treat breast cancer among our most vulnerable populations. It’s important to note that men can develop breast cancer as well, so while our patients may be primarily women, we are bringing life-saving technology to all.” Dr. Consorti always finds ways to do “more.” Bringing this partnership full circle, she also volunteers her surgical services with Operation Access, a local health care initiative and health care partner to the Order of Malta Clinic.
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FUNDING CLINIC OPERATIONS The Clinic is funded entirely through private donations, grants and fundraising events—a truly “free” medical clinic. Patients are not billed for services and we do not receive reimbursement from private insurance or government programs.
2020 FUNDRAISING BREAKDOWN
GALAS & CAMPAIGNS | $351,000 Dr. Wallace’s 90th Birthday, Christmas Response and Annual Report Response GRANTS | $119,000
2020 FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT
$687,000
$713,000
OPERATING COSTS
FUNDS RAISED
“Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, philanthropic support continued to play a critical role in supporting Clinic operations. And with further adoption and improvement of telehealth services, we can expect a reduction in patient costs over the long-term.” JOHN HALLETT, PROV.
Treasurer and Board Member GIFTS | $87,000* ORDER OF MALTA WESTERN ASSOCIATION | $155,000 * Includes $70,000 from the Estate of Henry Zielinski, KM 14
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GIVING REPORT
IN-KIND SUPPORT Although the Clinic first began using Kareo in 2019, its true gift was first realized in 2020, during the pandemic, when our medical team and staff transitioned to using the platform for telehealth care (phone and video appointments) and EHR. With the in-kind support of Kareo, based on the number of providers enrolled, we are saving approximately $15,000 per month. We partner with a wide range of organizations to increase access to care and provide discounted services, medications and support for patients. We thank our generous partners!
“If this infection had not been found and treated at the Clinic, the State of California (that’s us) would have had to bear the costs of taking care of this chronically ill man. Sacrifices from individuals and generosity from philanthropic groups to provide funding for this small free Clinic have not only helped the individual patient, but also the rest of us.” ANNE BRUSSOK, DM
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HONORING FAITH, CARE AND SERVICE DR. TOM WALLACE’S 90TH BIRTHDAY FUNDRAISER NETS MORE THAN $90,000 IN CLINIC SUPPORT On behalf of the entire Order of Malta Clinic team, we thank the many supporters who contributed to our Celebrating 90 campaign, benefitting the Clinic’s telehealth operations, and held in honor of volunteer physician Dr. Tom Wallace, KM and his steadfast commitment to faith, care and service. For his 90th birthday, Dr. Wallace requested one gift from our donor community: $90,000 in generous support for the Clinic and the vulnerable patient population we serve. We launched a campaign to fulfill that request and exceeded our fundraising goal! Because of you, we can provide more patients with even greater access to care.
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ABOUT DR. WALLACE Since joining our team in 2014, Dr. Wallace has served as a leader and steward for the Clinic, treating more than 1,000 patients and volunteering countless hours to care for the uninsured and underserved members of our community. In 2020, he was recognized as a Threads of Hope Award Winner by Diablo magazine for his work in the community. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic surged, Dr. Wallace continued to spend his days delivering care to individuals most in need.
“I am humbled and sincerely appreciative of your support for the Clinic. Your contribution is a life-changing donation to our community members in need, and a touching gift for my 90th birthday. Thank you!” TOM WALLACE, MD, KM
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IT’S BACK! THE 13TH ANNUAL CHAMPIONS GALA, THE SILVER CHALICE AWARDS DINNER
Mark your calendars for A Knight for Champions! That’s right, the 13th Annual Champions Gala, the Silver Chalice Awards Dinner is back and scheduled for September 28, 2021, at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. This year’s gala will be a hybrid event with an in-person auction and dinner, limited to 150 guests, and a live streamed program for virtual guests. All proceeds will support the expansion of the Clinic, which includes adding three exam rooms, expanding the telemedicine initiative, expanding telehealth capacities and initiating mobile services. The evening will honor Gianrico Farrugia, MD, KM, President and CEO of Mayo Clinic. Under Dr. Farrugia’s leadership, the Mayo Clinic provides a robust library of educational resources for the Clinic and our many patients. A native of Malta, Dr. Farrugia spent the last 30 years as a Mayo Clinic physician and educator. Co-author of “Think Big, Start Small, Move Fast: A Blueprint for Transformation from the Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation,” he is described as a prolific investigator, inventor and accomplished executive. The event will also recognize long-time volunteers Bill and Ann Regan, GCM, DM. In the Clinic’s infancy, Bill and Ann helped raise more than $1 million to kickstart the dream of providing high-quality health care to the sick and the poor. To this day, they continue to support and champion the Clinic’s important work. For information on tickets, tables and sponsorships go to orderofmaltaclinic.com/gala or contact Sara Cumbelich at sarakach@gmail.com.
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BILL & ANN REGAN, DM, GCM
GIANRICO FARRUGIA, MD, KM President and CEO, Mayo Clinic
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Mary Rudolph, NP, DM, literally goes the “extra mile” for her patients. On Wednesdays she commutes to the Clinic in downtown Oakland from her home on the Peninsula, driving the 90 miles roundtrip to care for and counsel women in the Clinic’s OB/GYN practice. Mary, who previously worked at Stanford Medicine and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (now Sutter Health) before retiring, now finds her purpose and passion in helping women at the Clinic, many of whom have neglected checkups or treatment because of fear, lack of resources or their uninsured status. Mary’s introduction to the Clinic came on a pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2017, sponsored annually by the Order of Malta. On that trip, she connected deeply with the Marian devotion, service and fellowship that came from assisting the “malades” who were there seeking miraculous healing—physical, spiritual or both. When Mary returned home, she wanted to continue to administer to those in need and found the Clinic the ideal environment to channel her years of experience and training as a Nurse Practitioner, including her advanced certification in OB/GYN medicine from UCLA. (Nurse Practitioners have masters or doctorate degrees in nursing, enabling them to work closely alongside physicians in the diagnoses and treatment of medical issues.) Early on, becoming a nurse was a way to honor and reflect her deep faith and devotion. Mary continues to draw inspiration from the Beatitudes, viewing her calling as a nurse, and her work at the Clinic, as a way to exemplify and honor God’s blessings. She is grateful for the many gifts in her life, and for the opportunity to give to others who can benefit from her work. “Our patients at the Clinic are often surprised at the simplicity of our unconditional service to all,” Mary says. “They are overcome with gratitude time and time again. Most of my patients work in minimum wage jobs in the service industry and are infrequent users of medical care services due to an inability to pay, sometimes mixed with fear. Our Clinic team works very hard to turn that fear into trust.”
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
MARY RUDOLPH NP, DM “We are not an end-stop, We are the beginning of our patients feeling cared for, empowered and respected in a loving environment. Health is a holistic journey, and I am privileged to be on that journey with my patients, their families and my fellow Clinic professionals. Service to those in need is a universal call for all of us.”
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As a member of the Order of Malta Clinic’s Board of Directors, as well as a volunteer, Mary sees the Clinic through a 360-degree lens. “I know first-hand how important our expansion campaign is to our patients and practicing doctors and nurses. Not only do we need more patient rooms and space for equipment, but my patients will be so well served when we can activate our mobile clinic and reach even more women throughout the region.” Mary is grateful that she was able to connect with patients via telemedicine during the pandemic, but now that the Clinic has reopened, she’s finding a special reward being able to meet directly with those who need her help. “We are not an end-stop,” she says. “We are the beginning of our patients feeling cared for, empowered and respected in a loving environment. Health is a holistic journey, and I am privileged to be on that journey with my patients, their families and my fellow Clinic professionals. Service to those in need is a universal call for all of us. For me personally, the Order’s mission to serve ‘our lords the poor and the sick,’ and preserve human dignity is what makes my weekly commute easy.”
Many of Mary’s patients are immigrants, some with limited knowledge of English. The Clinic’s multilingual staff have been a godsend to Mary’s ability to help patients. “One of my patients from South America was experiencing a lot of pain, and although she was in her 60s, she had never had a mammogram. With the help of our team, I was able to convince her that she needed a screening test, which thankfully was normal. I had a patient from Ethiopia, who did not speak English and had never had any GYN care. When we administered her first PAP test, and it was normal, her smile didn’t require a translation.” 21
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TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
CARLOS WILSON Communications is at the heart of sustaining and nurturing our Clinic community. Patients, volunteers, donors and partners all need information tailored to their interests and involvement. This was certainly the case during the height of COVID-19, when the Clinic was closed for an extended period; staying connected was critical to physical, fiscal and emotional health. We’re fortunate to have Carlos Wilson on our team; his exemplary work in social media, community outreach and fundraising kept us visible and accessible during the toughest of times. Since Carlos’s passion is storytelling, we thought it was only appropriate that we share his.
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TELL US ABOUT YOU: Where did you grow up? I grew up in Beacon, NY, a small town about 90 miles north of New York City. What inspired you to pursue your career path?
How does your work with the marketing and communications team help the Clinic deliver on its mission? I help to keep the Clinic in the public eye. Through media outreach and social media, I get to showcase all the great work being performed by the Order of Malta Clinic and keep patients, volunteers and the Clinic community well-informed.
I’ve always liked storytelling so the path of marketing and public relations was a natural fit.
Complete this sentence: The Order of Malta Clinic is an...
How did you learn about the Clinic? What led you to become involved?
organization backed by a lot of love and a purpose dedicated to helping underserved Bay Area residents with quality health care.
I found myself helping out at Order of Malta Clinic following a meeting with Sara Cumbelich. She talked to me about the amazing work the Clinic was doing for the community and we collaborated on a few ideas to help increase the organization’s visibility. This conversation led to a public relations and social media strategy centered on elevating the Clinic’s online presence.
What is one fun fact about you? Ha! Although I’ve never officiated a wedding, I am an ordained minister.
Describe your role with the Clinic: I work on the communications aspects for the Clinic. I’m a part of most of everything that falls under media outreach, social media content and subscriber content. What is your most memorable Clinic story and why? Oh, definitely Dr. Tom’s 90th birthday. It was a great experience to be a part of that day and celebrate such an amazing human being.
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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Thanks to the Order of Malta Clinic’s volunteers and generous donors, people who would otherwise be lost in the health care system have access to quality care and thus a better quality of life. As a Clinic Community, we are immensely proud and grateful for what we have accomplished together over the last 13 years, but the need for our services is growing, and we must seize the opportunity to do more. With the support of the Bishop of Oakland, the Clinic will embark on an expansion campaign to meet an ambitious set of goals: a bigger Clinic with more space to treat patients and accommodate family members; enhanced telehealth delivery, so we can see more patients from throughout the region, especially those with mobility issues; and the launch of our mobile clinic so we can take our care teams to those who cannot come to us. The common theme among these goals is clear: to increase access to quality health care for a growing uninsured population. In fact, over the next five years we want to at least double the number of patients we serve and help mitigate the disparities that are so evident all around us. In the San Francisco Bay Area alone, half a million fellow citizens live without health insurance, with the impact falling hardest on people of color and those below the poverty line. If the last year has shown us anything, it is that the health of one is the health of all. HELP US HELP MORE. orderofmaltaclinic.com/donate
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RECOGNIZING A DECADE OF SERVICE
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our Clinic and the lifeline for our patients. During COVID-19, our team of physicians, nurses and staff never stopped connecting with those who need our help. Even as we transitioned to telehealth as our primary delivery model, our volunteers still found ways to give more than 6,000 hours in service to our Clinic Community. We are proud of the impact, camaraderie and dedication that comes from being part of this care team and are always interested in adding to our ranks. Some of our 60-plus volunteers have given their time and talents for more than a decade. These extraordinary and tireless volunteers are listed here. They inspire us all.
Angie Topete, Translator
Eddie Concepcion, RN
James Breeden, MD
Joanne Curran, RN
Maria Gamulo-Owen, NP, RN
Margaret Grenham, RN
Jacques Hirschler, MD
Mary Jo Kelly, LVN
Melvin Ho, MD
Larry Miller, RN
Andrew Moyce, MD
Kathleen Moore, RN
Henrietta Buescher, RN
Aida Salita, RN
Nancy Cecconi, RN, DM
Janet Waring, RN
Annie Claymore, RN
THANK YOU! 25
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IN MEMORIAM
THOSE WHO INSPIRED US 26
MELVIN HO, MD On May 28, 2021 our beloved friend and team member Dr. Melvin Ho passed away after a valiant battle with a very aggressive and fast-moving form of cancer. Last year’s annual report theme, “Celebrating the Spirit of the Volunteer,” personifies, exemplifies and speaks volumes about Dr. Ho. A loving, faith-filled volunteer physician—he clothed himself with kindness and charity at all times. Dr. Ho graduated from The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1971, starting his career as a pediatrician. Years later he took advantage of a training opportunity necessitated by a provider shortage to become a dermatologist. The Clinic was blessed to have him as a volunteer provider for 12 years, starting shortly after the Clinic first opened. During his final days, Dr. Ho called the Clinic to say goodbye—it was his hope to visit us, but one not realized. He told us “we were doing great work” and that “the Clinic was going to do well.” We thank him for his years of service, and will honor his memory by continuing to serve the patients he deeply cared for, and cared about.
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KATHLEEN MOORE, RN
Kathleen Moore, RN, was a stalwart volunteer since the Clinic’s earliest days. She joined the Clinic team prior to our official opening, and was chosen as our first Director of Nursing. She was perfectly suited for the role, having worked for many years in a clinic environment, and in complex public health settings. Kathleen set the plans – still in use today – for protocols surrounding patient registration, nursing evaluation and medical exams. Her experience was matched by her deep empathy for others, her quick wit and unrelenting attention to detail. Her Clinic colleagues remember her quiet and simple presence that provided ease and comfort to patients and brought calm and reassurance to staff and volunteers during the most hectic times. Above all, it was clear to those who worked with her that she was a servant of God, doing what she was meant to do in the most loving and compassionate way. Her dedication and spirit to the Clinic will be eternally in our hearts and will continue to serve as our inspiration.
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2121 HARRISON STREET #120 OAKLAND, CA 94612 (510) 587-3000 orderofmaltaclinic.com 28
