Marian Clinic Newsletter

Marian Clinic publishes a quarterly newsletter for its supporters in spring, summer, winter and fall. Excerpts follow.

Winter 2003

New Year Ushers in New Name

The Martin de Porres Dental Center at 3164 East Sixth Street in Topeka will now be known as Marian Clinic Dental. The new name reflects the unified mission of Marian Clinic’s medical and dental programs.

“Although we operate at two sites,” said Executive Director Marilyn Page, “we have a single purpose. We will, in the spirit of the Sisters of Charity, reveal God’s healing love by improving the health of the individuals and communities we serve, especially the poor or vulnerable.”

“We exist,” she continued, “to provide easy access to compassionate and trustworthy health care for the uninsured and the underserved.” Medical services are at the original Marian Clinic location at Tenth and Garfield. Patients must be residents of Shawnee County who are without medical insurance and meet financial guidelines that limit income to 175% of the federal poverty level. Patients may qualify for care and make appointments at any time. Call 233-8081 to inquire.

Dental services are on East Sixth Street. Patients may reside in any county, but must be without dental insurance and meet guidelines that limit income to 200% of the poverty level. HealthWave families and seniors on Medicare but without supplementary dental insurance are welcome. New patients may enroll for the program on announced dates quarterly. To inquire, call 233-2800.

Marian Clinic Board members believe that the organization will achieve a stronger and fuller identity within Shawnee County and the surrounding communities if the two programs share a single name – Marian Clinic. A clear and distinctive image will be an advantage among the people served and among the circle of support that must grow in order to fund the mission.

Marian Clinic Dental will remain under the patronage of Martin de Porres, the Peruvian saint for whom the original program was named. His statue at Dental and his story displayed there will reflect his concern – and ours – for the indigent and  indigenous of the world. Marian Clinic will incorporate St. Martin’s story into its own when recounting the rich history of the sponsors.
The heritage of the Sisters of Charity, which grounds the mission, includes a love of neighbor, a pioneering spirit, a history of healing, the willingness to adapt to change and a sense of optimism about the future. In being deeply faithful to the mission, Marian Clinic will shape its own future, even in economically challenging times.

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation supports Marian Clinic

In January tribal council members of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation presented Marian Clinic with a $50,000 gift to support medical and dental services for the uninsured and underserved. A portion of the gift will be restricted to a fund available to members of the tribe in need of service, while the remainder will help fund general operations.

In accepting the gift, Board Chairman Ping Enriquez welcomed tribal members to the circle of Clinic supporters. He and the Potawatomi leaders expressed appreciation for the mutual benefit the gift will assure.