New Community Health Clinic on West 7th in St. Paul

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve driven down West Seventh Street in St. Paul. In high school, I spent two summers as an apprentice painting at the old Schmidt Brewery through COMPAS’ ArtsWork program. Heck, our ArtsWork group was even banned from the West 7^th McDonalds for re-using beverage cups (I know what you’re thinking, but I promise I was not the culprit.) Since then, I’m happy to say I’ve discovered some nicer restaurants and shared many wonderful meals with great company on that street.

Last week, I found myself taking that familiar drive to an unfamiliar location, United Family Medicine. Laura and I were invited to tour the community clinic, located in the new ‘Peter J. King Family Health Center’ on the corner of West 7^th and Randolph. I was surprised to find that this new destination evoked feelings of warmth and nostalgia; feelings that I’ve come to associate with this historic street (well, with the exception of McDonalds).

So, what creates this kind of welcoming environment? First, the clinic, whose history dates back to 1930, serves all people regardless of insurance status. As a federally qualified health center, uninsured and underinsured patients can apply for a sliding fee scale based on income and family size (this is determined easily via your last tax return). The clinic employs Patient Advocates to help you determine eligibility and apply for the sliding fee scale. For those with insurance, the clinic accepts more than 400 insurance carriers. As CEO Jeanne Bailey explained, the providers are there for you during all stages of your life. Just because you lose or change your insurance, you shouldn’t have to change doctors.

This same thought extends to the design of the new site. The clinic is light-filled and open, encompassing a whopping 31,000 square feet with forty exam and treatment rooms. The building is beautiful, yet unassuming, and easily accessible from a bus line. There’s also plenty of free parking via an attached ramp.

We're working to start up an Artists’ Access to Healthcare (AAH) pilot program with the clinic, offering $40 vouchers to use like a gift certificate towards primary, mental and even urgent care services (which can be oh-so-helpful for those pesky injuries like broken bones and cuts). United Family Medicine can also provide admittance to and care at United Hospital and Children’s Hospital in St. Paul (though the hospitals won’t be part of the voucher program.)

Those who have used the AAH voucher program know that we currently partner with three low-cost clinics, all located in Minneapolis. So I am especially thrilled that our neighbors here in St. Paul can connect to a more conveniently located option for high-quality care!

For more info about the United vouchers, please stay tuned to our e-newsletter in early June or click here to sign-up.

-Nikki

# posted by Springboard for the Arts @ 11:35 AM