FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 29, 2000
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kelley Elwood, 312/580-6497
National Doctor's Day:
A Time to Recognize Physicians
Chicago – Physicians provide medical care in their offices and hospitals every day, but many also provide care to the underserved through their work at free health clinics across the state. March 30 is National Doctor’s Day, the perfect time to acknowledge the work of physicians throughout Illinois.
Illinois is served by 27 free clinics. These facilities, which are supported entirely by private donations, provide services to residents who have no health insurance or are underinsured. Physicians and other providers work primarily on a volunteer basis, donating their time and services to the community.
The public health of the community at large is elevated when physicians provide medical care to those who would otherwise do without. Clinic services range from education and testing, to specialties care and prescription drug benefits. Many clinic patients suffer with chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes and hypertension, but some seek preventive care and treatment for less severe illnesses.
"The medical community and general public join together on March 30 every year to honor the accomplishments of the doctors who have dedicated themselves to improving the health and well-being of all people in this country," said Clair Callan, M.D., president of the Illinois State Medical Society. "Volunteering at Illinois’ free clinics is one way physicians show we care."
On March 30, 1842 in Jefferson, Georgia, Crawford W. Long, M.D. pioneered the administration of the first ether anesthesia which lead the way to safer, more advanced surgery. It is this milestone in medical history that became the basis for observing Doctors’ Day. See the following list below to obtain information on a clinic in your area.
FREE CLINICS IN ILLINOIS
| Aurora Aurora Community Wellness Clinic 1330 N. Highland Ave., 60506 630/264-7669 |
Freeport Community Clinic of Northwest Illinois 10 W. Linden, 61032 815/235-8271 |
Peoria Heartland Community Health Clinic 600 NE. Monroe, 61603 309/673-9242 |
| Chicago Community Health Clinic 2611 W. Chicago, 60622 773/395-9808 |
Galesburg Knox County Health Department 519 McLure Street, 61401 309/344-2224 |
St. Francis Community Clinic 320 E. Armstrong, 61603 309/ 624-9668 |
| Pacific Garden Mission Clinic 647 S. State St., 60605 312/922-1462 |
Harvard Family Health Partnership Clinic 104 W. Brainard, 60033 815/943-1021 |
Pontiac Livingston Family Care Center 305 W. Madison St., 61764 815/842-1441 |
| Pilsen Homeless Health Services 731 West 17th Street, 60616 (312) 243-5226 Rush |
Jacksonville Morgan-Scott Volunteer Health Center 1600 W. Walnut, 62650 217/479-5700 |
Quincy Community Outreach Clinic Broadway @ 14th P.O. Box 7005, 62305-7005 217/223-1200 |
| Community Service Initiatives 1725 W. Harrison, 60612 312/942-8116 |
Joliet Will-Grundy Medical Clinic 213 East Cass Street., 60432 815/726-3377 |
Rock Falls Agape Care Center 1800 Prophet Rd., 61071 815/625-4554 |
| St. Basil’s Free People’s Clinic 1850 W. Garfield Blvd., 60609 773/436-4870 |
LaGrange LaGrange Commun. Nurse Health Asoc. 27 Calendar Court, 60525 708/352-0081 |
Rolling Meadows Neighborhood Health Resource Center 22272 Algonquin Pkwy, 60008 847/670-1224 |
| Chicago Heights Family Health Society , Inc. 165 West 10th Street, 60411 708/754-9687 |
Marion Hands of Hope Free Health Clinic 801 N Market, 62959 618/998-8282 |
Springfield HealthFirst Clinic 621 E. Capitol, 62702 217/753-0161 |
| Danville Vermillion Area Community Health Center 100 N. Franklin, 61832 217/442-8790 |
Normal |
Waukegan HealthReach Clinic 1800 Grand Ave., 60085-6515 847/360-8800 |
| Dixon Volunteer Care Center of Lee County 403 E. First St., 61201 815/284-9555 |
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Wheaton |
Elgin |
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ISMS is a professional membership organization representing 16,000 physicians, practicing in all specialties statewide.
ISMS permits and encourages reproduction of ISMS news releases with the request that ISMS is credited as the source of the information.