The Safety Net

JUPITER , FL – August 29, 2017 – "My passion comes from everyone at the clinic who loves what they do. My passion is seeing patients walk out of here with the help they need. My passion is MyClinic.”

The words of a true philanthropist, Eileen Donohue, marketing coordinator of MyClinic, who has helped the treatment center grow over the past three years since the doors opened in 2014. As an independent, not-for-profit clinic, they are devoted to providing free non-emergency health care to residents above the age of three in Palm Beach County. With 21 volunteer licensed health professionals on staff, as well as referral medical offices outside of the clinic, the care provided to those who are uninsured and cannot afford regular health care is a miracle in itself.

How did such a facility come to life, you may ask? MyClinic is the result of the collaborative efforts of a variety of organizations and caring individuals who came together to address the need for health services for people living in our community who often times go unnoticed. They worked together to identify the need, devise a plan, and establish a structure to create something greater than any single entity could do on its own.

As noted by Dr. Ron Surowitz, “MyClinic’s volunteers provide free medical care to people without health insurance who work in our homes and businesses. As an active volunteer at the clinic and chairman of the board, it is rewarding to be able to give back to our community.” 

Amy Pepper, MyClinic’s board secretary and director, states. “MyClinic represents the best that a community can offer when diverse organizations and individuals work together towards the common goal of improving the lives of their neighbors.”

Beginning their journey in a double-wide trailer located on the west end of Indiantown Road, MyClinic has now moved into a high-performance treatment facility on central Indiantown intersecting at Military Trail. MyClinic consists of seven examination rooms and dedicated space for full-time behavioral health counseling, care coordination, and patient registration. Aside from Dr. Surowitz, licensed healthcare practitioners provide services to over 2,000 registered patients at MyClinic in primary care medicine and behavioral health, as well as specialized fields that include endocrinology, cardiology, podiatry, orthopedics, and diabetes education. Patients may be referred to outside medical and dental specialists as available. Also, Jupiter Medical Center provides Diabetes Education, Lab, and Imaging services free of charge to registered MyClinic patients, as well as administrative support. 

To volunteer at MyClinic, doctors, nurses, and other health practitioners must have an active license in the state of Florida, register with MyClinic, and seek approval from the Department of Health to be cleared. Once approved, sovereign immunity protection is granted through the State Volunteer Health Care Provider Program, which also tracks the value of volunteer services and other in-kind donations in terms of savings to the community.

Two-year volunteer Dr. Suresh Ghate confirms, “I have really liked working for this clinic. The staff and environment here are excellent. I will be doing this for as long as I can.” 

In order to register to become a patient at MyClinic, applicants must go through the eligibility process. Potential patients must provide proof of residency, be 18 years of age or over (those younger will need a guardian), have a family income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, and have no health insurance for the services that they are seeking. The registering process must be done inside of the clinic, but appointments can be made online through their website. All existing patients must re-register yearly.

The life and treatment within MyClinic would not be possible without the generosity of individual donors and the following supporters: Admirals Cove Foundation; Allegany Franciscan Ministries; Ann K and Douglas S Brown Family Foundation; Batchelor Foundation; Clinics Can Help; CTW Foundation; El Sol-Jupiter’s Neighborhood Resource Center; Health Care District of Palm Beach County; Jonathans Landing Cares; Jupiter Medical Center and Medical Staff; Lost Tree Foundation; Palm Healthcare Foundation; Quantum Foundation; State of Florida appropriation administered by the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics; and the Town of Jupiter. 

“In Jupiter there are so many caring people, people that want to help others. I’ve never lived or worked anywhere like this,” says Patty Murdoch, volunteer registered nurse of MyClinic. 

For those who have the desire to give, but do not have a medical background, the clinic accepts volunteers at any given time to work the front desk, schedule patients, and help with any other tasks that may be needed in the facility. Currently, MyClinic is especially looking for bilingual volunteers to be interpreters for patients in the community who may not speak the native tongue of the area. In order to apply, one must fill out a form at the clinic and speak with a staff member. 

MyClinic is open Tuesday through Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm in addition to certain evening hours. Patients are seen by appointment and new patient registration takes place on Fridays. As the only not-for-profit, free health care clinic in the Jupiter area, these caregivers and supporters are held in highest esteem for what they have accomplished for the people in our tight-knit community. There is only growth ahead for mending health and hearts at MyClinic. 

For more information, please visit www.myclinicjupiter.org or stop by the facility at 411 West Indiantown Road.