The theme for this series in March is “service.”
I can think of no better lead-off than “A Letter from Agnes.” Make a point to be at the concert. It is fun, well-staged and for a great cause.
My name is Agnes Usoro, and I am a co-director for St. Vincent’s Student Run Clinic (St. Vincent’s Clinic) here in Galveston. The clinic provides primary care and continuity of care to the uninsured and indigent population of Galveston County.
Founded in 1984, St. Vincent’s Clinic works in collaboration with St. Vincent’s House and the University of Texas Medical Branch. It is an independent student-run, non-profit organization associated with the national Society of Student-Run Free Clinics.
The mission of St. Vincent’s Clinic is two-fold: 1) to provide high-quality medical care to those in need in Galveston County and 2) to foster an excellent learning environment for healthcare students and professionals that emphasizes the importance of community service as an integral part of their careers in medicine.
The student-run clinic is physically located at St. Vincent’s House, a non-profit social service agency in the city of Galveston. Medical care at the student clinic is overwhelmingly provided by students from the medical school and the school of allied health professions at the medical branch; students are encouraged to see themselves as primary care physicians for the patients at St. Vincent’s Clinic. While focusing on primary care, St. Vincent’s Clinic also offers specialty care clinics in gynecology, rheumatology, neurology, dermatology, psychiatry and dental care.
The clinic provides health care services to more than 800 individuals annually. St. Vincent’s Student-Run Clinic, through the enduring efforts of its student directors, medical director, Dr. Robert Beach and volunteer and community faculty from the medical branch has been a vital component of the healthcare safety net for many residents in Galveston County. The clinic strives to deliver care to its capabilities and is responsive to the changing needs of its community.
The non-profit clinic is funded by private donations and by an annual fundraising benefit concert. This year’s concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., in Galveston. Proceeds from the benefit concert go to support the daily clinic operations as well as to the Robert E. Beach Patient Care Fund. This fund, established in 2015, supports healthcare services for patients including imaging, medications, specialty treatments, outpatient procedures, medical equipment and other services.
On display at the concert, there will be a variety of talented performances from students from the medical branch and Galveston community residents. In addition, there will be a silent auction, with a variety of valuable items such as gift certificates to local businesses and events, premier hotel and venue services, as well as unique Star Wars memorabilia.
Tickets are $10, pre-sale, $12 at the door or $15 if you would like to sponsor a St. Vincent’s patient to attend the event. Tickets can also be purchased at our website at www.stvsc.org/index.php/concert.
Thank you for considering donating to our clinic, and we hope to see you at the concert.
Agnes Usoro, RN is a fourth-year medical student at UTMB and a Student Director of St. Vincent’s Student-Run Clinic.