Mission of Mercy to Launch Free Mobile Medical Clinic in the Coastal Bend Area of South Texas

Mission of Mercy is preparing to launch its newest mobile healthcare program in the Coastal Bend area of south Texas. The new clinic will be based out of Corpus Christi and will serve 5 locations in Corpus Christi and surrounding rural areas, including unincorporated areas known as “colonias.” During the first year of operations the volunteers at our mobile clinic expect to provide over 3,000 free patient visits and dispense over 5,000 free prescription medications to the uninsured working poor.

Mission of Mercy’s new clinics in the Coastal Bend area are the result of nearly two years of effort. In August 2005, the Most Reverend Edmond Carmody, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi, invited Mission of Mercy to locate a mobile health clinic in the Corpus Christi area to serve the thousands of area poor that have no health insurance and can not afford to see a doctor or to purchase the medications they need. Mission of Mercy Foundress, Dr. Gianna Talone-Sullivan, Pharm.D., traveled to Corpus Christi and witnessed first-hand the need for Mission of Mercy to provide free healthcare that focuses on the restoration of dignity, what we call “healing through Love.”

Over time, a group of community leaders, representing the healthcare industry, social service agencies, religious organizations and philanthropists formed the Mission of Mercy Coastal Bend Leadership Council. Now numbering sixteen individuals, the Leadership Council has guided the efforts to launch the new mobile medical clinic. Mission of Mercy, Inc. donated and remodeled a mobile medical vehicle that had previously been used in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans area following Hurricane Katrina. Representatives from other Mission of Mercy clinics in Maryland and Pennsylvania have worked closely with the Leadership Council to identify funding, select clinic locations in the Coastal Bend area and recruit staff and volunteers.

Adequate funding is nearly complete and based on indications from the philanthropic community and Leadership Council, Mission of Mercy is preparing to launch the new clinic in mid-September, 2007. Many volunteers, including physicians, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, interpreters, drivers and registration/hospitality individuals are needed. During July and August we will have a number of Open Houses to introduce the new program to the Coastal Bend and to recruit volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering or receiving additional information please contact us at main@aMissionOfMercy.org.

Dr. Coleen Madigan Joins as Medical Director

Coleen Madigan, M.D., F.A.C.P., has joined Mission of Mercy as Medical Director of their newest mobile medical program based in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Dr. Madigan is leading the efforts of the Mission of Mercy Coastal Bend Leadership Council to identify 4 or 5 clinic locations in Corpus Christi and the surrounding rural areas, and to secure commitments for pro-bono lab and diagnostic imaging services. This summer, Dr. Madigan will be recruiting healthcare professionals to volunteer 1 or 2 days a month at the mobile medical clinic, and healthcare specialists willing to provide free services to one or two referral patients a month in their private practice.

When patient care begins to be provided two days a week in mid-September, Dr. Madigan will be at the mobile clinic those days providing direct patient care and providing leadership for the many volunteer health professionals.

Dr. Madigan is a graduate of the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio and has been practicing internal medicine and family medicine in Corpus Christi since 1984. Dr. Madigan was Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Practice of the University of Texas at Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital. Most recently, Dr. Madigan has maintained a small part-time private practice. In addition, she has been looking for an opportunity to help address the growing need of the uninsured and poor in the Coastal Bend area.

We are please to welcome Dr. Coleen Madigan to our Mission of Mercy family and have her be the newest member of our team as we prepare to launch the free mobile medical clinic program in the Coastal Bend area of South Texas