Partner in Profile: Norwalk Hospital

AmeriCares Free Clinics has partnered with Norwalk Hospital since 1994 when the first AmeriCares Free Clinic opened in Norwalk. The clinics were envisioned by founder Bob Macauley as a place where the high number of uninsured in   Connecticut could get access quality health care. Bob never had trouble recruiting medical volunteers to go off to Africa, China or Siberia to serve a needy population. He decided to do the same in his own back yard.
 
Karen Gottlieb, executive director of the clinics, recalls her first meeting with David W. Osborne, president/CEO of Norwalk Hospital, when she asked for the hospital’s support.

“We thought we could pull the volunteers together but knew a clinic without diagnostic and laboratory capabilities would not be ideal,” she said. ”After presenting a myriad of logical reasons why a community hospital should support a free clinic program, Norwalk Hospital and Norwalk Radiology Consultants agreed to provide some radiology and laboratory services at no charge to our patients. “We have come a long way since that time,” Karen reports. “Norwalk Hospital has been an incredible partner participating on many levels and providing invaluable services.”

Since the free clinic opened in November 1994, the hospital and the radiology consultants have donated services valued at more than $200,000. Not only does the hospital provide bone and chest X-rays but also at no charge a generous array of diagnostic tests, pathology services and up to three visits a month to the emergency department. Dr. Alan Richman, Chairman of Radiology, and his staff generously donate their professional services. 

Barbara McCabe, director of the Norwalk clinic of Norwalk states, said: “There is no doubt tour partnership with the hospital has improved outcomes for many patients and saved lives. We are very grateful for their skill and generosity.” 

The relationship with the hospital was initiated in 1994 by Dr. Sreedhar Nair of the hospital’s department of pulmonary medicine and medical director of the Beullah Hinds Informatics Foundation. Dr. Nair, a pulmonologist, has devoted his considerable expertise to furthering the utilization of technology, in this case telemedicine. He successfully facilitated the installation of state-of-the-art telemedicine equipment through collaboration with SNET.  He has also donated the equipment currently in use, which allows the clinic to access specialty consultations, diabetes education and dietary instruction from the Norwalk Hospital staff.  

Dr. Michael Carius, chairman of the emergency department and volunteer at the AmeriCares clinic, said: "A free clinic certainly makes sense. Primary care is so important for patients, especially those with chronic conditions that require ongoing monitoring, but also for others who require preventative measures and risk modification. Studies have shown patients presenting to the emergency department who have no access to primary care are more likely to be admitted than other patients. So the free clinic fills a gap in the health care system."

The Norwalk clinic has been fortunate to have many staff members from the  hospital volunteer their time. The volunteers serve as intake screeners, translators, nurses and physicians. There is also a group of specialists in the community who use their private offices to see the clinic’s uninsured patients at no charge.

Says Gottlieb: “We look at the hospital as having taken the lead in stepping up to the plate and being a major player in this program. The hospital sets the example through its commitment to the community and compassion in the delivery of health care services.”

Norwalk Hospital is a 328-bed, private, not-for-profit, voluntary acute care community hospital founded more than 100 years ago. Maintaining a tradition of outstanding service to the people of Norwalk and neighboring communities, the hospital recognizes an obligation to serve all who seek service without regard to race, religion, national origin or economic circumstances.

Recognized by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the hospital’s Department of Psychiatry was recently awarded the designation as a “Center of Excellence.”

The Whittingham Cancer Center at the hospital has meanwhile been serving the oncology needs of the community for years and, working with the clinic, as part of the early breast and cervical cancer detection program through which diagnostic services are available for low income, uninsured women. Many patients have been referred to this program from the clinics and lives have been saved as a result.

Since 1999, Dr. Jack Falsone, on staff in the pulmonary medicine section, has continues to serve as the medical director of the Norwalk clinic. Dr. Falsone, a semi-retired physician working at Norwalk Hospital, exemplifies the hospital’s tradition of service. Not only does he volunteer as medical director, but also volunteers his clinic time and is a member of the clinic’s advisory committee.  The committee is comprised of members of the community and Norwalk Hospital has been an integral part of this group offering advice and direction to the clinic program.

Says Osborne, the president/CEO of the hospital: “The hospital is proud of the many affiliated volunteers who donate their time and expertise to the clinic. From the pulmonary clinic started by Dr. Nair to the diagnostic tests so critical to successful medical treatment, we applaud the efforts of the community and the AmeriCares Free Clinic in their efforts to meet this ever-growing need for quality health care for the uninsured.”