Marian Clinic Newsletter

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

SPRING 2006

One evening as most people were headed home from a day’s work, Dr. James Weyrens stopped at Marian Clinic as he usually does once a month to see patients with cardiac problems. He said, “I’m tired tonight,” something that many of us feel at day’s end. But he kept his commitment to doing this something extra, and fully entered into treating five patients with his expertise and empathy. Two of them may owe their very lives to his dedication.

On another day, Jeff Haverkamp came. Jeff is a computer consultant and he gives several hours each week to entering data into our computer system, a task essential to fulfilling reporting requirements and guiding Clinic growth.

How do you measure the contributions that Dr. Weyrens and Jeff Haverkamp make? We can assign figures, the dollar amount, of what the service would have cost in the market, what the insurance company would pay for a visit if the person had insurance, or the hourly wages of someone paid to do the task. Or you can measure it by the impact made on the health and happiness of another human being.

Anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Marian Clinic is possible because of people giving of themselves in the ways that they can. Truly, Topeka is remarkable in the many people who volunteer to make a difference for our patients. For some volunteers the activity softens the pain or stress in their own lives. For others, life is less difficult and they say they want to give back because of all they have been given.

I believe that Topeka is exceptional in its reaching out to help those in need. Instead of denying that there is poverty and disadvantage in our town as there is in all places, we can say, “The true measure of our community is how much we care for those who have less,” and this we do.

From the Clinic’s semi-annual fundraising campaigns to monthly Board meetings to the daily medical, dental and office activities, many individual volunteers play major roles in the kindness that is revealed at Marian Clinic.

On my mind and from my heart,

Marilyn Page

PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS:

Fall 2005

Winter 2004

Summer 2003

Winter 2003

Spring 2001

Holiday 2000