PHC

Here, We Care

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People’s Health Clinic celebrates 25 years of providing care to the uninsured

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Reported by Leslie Thatcher, KPCW

More than a million dollars was raised at the People’s Health Clinic silver anniversary gala for the clinic Saturday night to continue providing health care to the uninsured workers of the Wasatch Back.

Twenty-five years ago, a free health fair was held in Park City to gauge the need for health care. Following a medical mission to Guatemala at that time, Dr. John Hanrahan said he learned of the poverty and disease of not only a foreign country, but right here in his backyard.
 
“So, I came back with a renewed sense of purpose that health care really is a right and not a privilege,” Hanrahan said. “Our local health fair was stunning. We had over 700 people without health insurance who showed up just to get their sugar checked or their blood pressure checked, and it opened my eyes and our eyes to the great need right here at home.”

He, along with at the pastor at the time at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Bob Bussen got the clinic off the ground using a two-room mobile clinic.

“Our vision for the People’s Health Clinic was the creation of a focused effort by those in our community with means to help those in our community in need,” he said.

Today, the clinic sees patients five days and three nights a week.

“The heart and soul of the People’s Health Clinic is service to our neighbors and service workers with extraordinarily high-quality health care, mental health, women’s health, vaccines, chronic disease, pediatric and family care, sub-specialty care, everything that’s needed,” he said. “Our staff and volunteers are truly exceptional people. They’ve created a center of trust, respect, caring and compassion.”

The CEO of the People’s Health Clinic, Mairi Leining presented Hanrahan with the Founders’ Visionary Award recognizing the exceptional impact he’s had.

“In 1999 Dr. John didn’t just dream of making a difference. He went out and actually did it. That year, he co-founded the People’s Health Clinic, and because one life changing nonprofit wasn’t enough for him, he also founded the Hope Alliance. Dr. John is an over achiever of the very best kind, and 25 years later, he is still deeply involved with both organizations, proving that his commitment to serving is lifelong.”

Leining says there are stories every week at the clinic that expose the realities of poverty in Park City. The health of a community she said depends on how we care for its most vulnerable members.

“The truth is, if our 11,000 patients, this large uninsured workforce, stopped working tomorrow, Park City wouldn’t function,” he said. “The restaurants, the hotels, the construction sites, the services we rely on, would come to a standstill.”

Local philanthropist Beano Solomon was acknowledged for her continued financial support of the clinic with the People’s Health Clinic Lifetime Humanitarian Award. And long-time volunteer medical provider Dr. Hamilton Easter was honored with the People’s Health Clinic Healthcare Leadership Award for his 12 years of service.

Listen to full interview

Community Foundation’s top award winner is a familiar face at People’s Health Clinic

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Patty García of The People’s Health Clinic, receives Trisha Worthington Community Service Award from Park City Community Foundation Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record

It was a true celebration when Patty García was called to the stage, the backing and admiration of her peers evident in the cheerful roar of support that filled the room of Park City Community Foundation’s Grant Celebration at Snow Park Lodge.

García had won the Trisha J. Worthington Community Service Award, which the foundation confers annually to an individual who has been generous with their time and talent to charitable and community endeavors. 

Currently serving as the patient access director for the People’s Health Clinic, Garcia is also a board member of PC Tots and a mother of four, and she is widely recognized for her dedication and advocacy in creating accessible and inclusive opportunities in health care and child care for the community. 

The foundation also said that García had been nominated multiple times for the award this year and last.

“Patty has a heart of gold and is a tireless champion for child care and health care,” said Sue Banerjee, executive director of PC Tots. “Despite working full time and raising her own children, she finds time to support the community through formal and informal ways. She is there to connect people to services and give advice. … She has been a voice for many who otherwise would not be heard.”

“I feel so happy,” said García, “I am surprised, but I feel very happy to have been recognized, and for my work to have been recognized.”

It’s an honor, she said, and she appreciates the recognition for doing something she loves.

García said she loves to go to work and interact with the people she is there to serve. She spoke about the close-knit types of relationships she has built over the years and how fortunate she feels to be in a position where patients trust that she will help them. 

“I love that people come to me because they know I will do my best to help them with whatever they need,” said García, “I feel that sometimes you can get tired of what you do or say that, but whenever you look at something and think, if we weren’t here, if the clinicians weren’t here, this man would have never known his diagnosis, or this woman would have never known this was happening to her — knowing that I can help them is the best feeling I could have.”

The People’s Health Clinic is a volunteer-driven organization that summarizes its mission in three words: “Here, we care.”

García said she strives to be a person of trust, one who is available to help those without support systems or who otherwise might be alone, unseen, untreated and unheard.

García said that especially in a situation in which not everyone qualifies for health care, and particularly when helping the undocumented community — because they are often the ones who don’t qualify for any programs — knowing that she is helping them and that they can trust her just as she trusts them fills her heart.

She likened this type of trust to what she she aims to provide for her parents.

“More than anything, I know that if I don’t do things for (my parents), no one else is going to do it for them. So I want them to know that I am the person who will be there for them.”

In the same way, García’s goal is to provide that care to those in the community who need it, every step of the way, no matter the magnitude or difficulty of what someone may be facing.

“I’ll hold your hand until you get what you need,” said García.

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