CELEBRATING 15 YEARS

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

It’s always a pleasure to assemble this annual report, as it provides an opportunity to reflect on the incredible work undertaken at the Clinic by our dedicated team of volunteer physicians, nurses, and administrative staff. Somehow, they manage to make caring for nearly 5,000 patient visits a year appear easy and seamless, when in reality there are scores of decisions that must be made each day, simple and complex medical issues to diagnose and treat, and trust to be gained from patients and families for whom our Clinic is their lifeline of hope and health.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of officially opening our doors at the Cathedral of Christ the Light. We started by opening our doors once a week and now serve patients five days a week. Today, our services include podiatry, cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, and mammography. What my predecessor, John Christian, KM, termed the “Miracle of 21st Street,” is truly that, a miracle that has been made possible through the vision, tenacity, and humanitarian efforts of so many. We owe a profound debt of thanks to the Diocese of Oakland, and the three Bishops who have helped us steward our mission and progress: Allen Vigneron, Salvatore Cordileone, and Michael Barber. Bishop Barber is our valued partner in the Clinic’s current expansion, which will “help us help more” by providing a larger Clinic environment for patients and staff, and allow us to dramatically increase our patient volume, Clinic hours, and medical services. We are also discussing how to leverage our success by bringing our Clinic’s expertise into new Bay Area communities and evaluating the potential for new clinic sites in the near future.

Fifteen years is a long-time in the life of a community clinic; in fact, national data show that most clinics don’t reach the five-year milestone. Our success can be squarely correlated to the depth of need and the breadth of financial support that enables us to be a truly “free clinic.” Patients are never billed for our services or tests, and we seek no reimbursements. Private donations, grants, and fundraising events cover all our operations, and for most of our medical team, their only renumeration is the satisfaction that comes from improving lives, one patient at a time.

It’s a dangerous proposition to try to thank the scores of individuals who have selflessly given their time, treasure, and talent to make the Clinic what it is today. However, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge our founding board of directors, our current board, the Order of Malta Western Association, and our community health partners, including Sutter Health, John Muir Health, UCSF, Mayo Clinic, Operation Access, InView Imaging, and Quest Diagnostics, who have given generously and embraced our mission: to uphold human dignity and care for people in need.

Most importantly, it is our volunteers that provide the unique care found at the Clinic. Our volunteer physicians, nurses, and therapists never cease to amaze me with their combination of medical expertise and gift of precious time; some, in fact, travel long-distances each week from different parts of the Bay Area to meet with patients. Our administrative team could work anywhere – but they choose to dedicate themselves to supporting the Order of Malta’s core values of compassion and service to others, just as the Order has done on a global basis for nearly 1,000 years.

The fact that you are reading this message demonstrates that you share in our mission and our values. Thus, I also want to express my appreciation to you for your interest, support, and commitment to improving the lives of our patients, and the general health of our communities. I hope you will continue to “help us help more,” as we build on 15 years of success. With the past as prologue, there is so much great work ahead of us, and so many people who need our care.

With sincerest thanks.

Timothy L. McInerney, KM
Oakland, California
May 2023