What is it that keeps employees and board members at Fair Haven Community Health Clinic loyal for ten, 20, 30 or more years? It’s the mission, stupid. The clinic, at 437 Grand Ave., celebrated its 35th birthday with a delectable picnic in the backyard for its loyal workers and supporters. Executive Director Katrina Clark (pictured) has led the agency for 33 of those years.
The theme of the celebration Friday was “generations of caring.” That’s something Clark could speak to directly.
Click here to listen to her comments about that and also about current challenges.
Jeannette Rodriguez is a Jill of all trades at the clinic: “I live in Fair Haven, and I love my job. I’m all over the clinic. I work in medical records, and I’m a patient advocate. I’m a translator, and at lunchtime I’m a greeter at the main desk.”
Anne Somsel began working as a nurse at the clinic 23 years ago; she’s now director of adult health promotion. “I started doing direct patient care, from 1 year-olds to the elderly. I believe health care is a right, not a privilege.” That’s the mission, in a nutshell. “Here, we provide health care to people who wouldn’t get it otherwise.”
Semeon Tsalbins is a pediatrician and former medical director at the clinic, where he’s worked for three decades. “I think it’s a place that allows me to practice my craft in a way I would enjoy, both in terms of the medical part as well as providing services to a portion of the population I think I do a decent job with.” He speaks Spanish, which helps as the patient population has shifted from more Italians to more Latinos.
Laurie Bulger (pictured with Tsalbins) is an internist who’s been at the clinic for 15 years, the last four as medical director. Among the things she loves are “the collegiality among the staff, and serving a population that really needs our help.” She says it’s a family-friendly place for staff as well as patients. “I had two children while I was here and took time off and was able to work around my family’s schedule while I was raising them.”
Marlene Acevedo started as a medical assistant student, was hired as a medical assistant, then continued her education and became a registered nurse, which she’s been doing for the past two years. “I think all the services that they have for the patients — like prescription assistance that helps people who don’t have insurance. They do a lot for the community.”
Elisa Hundley is the brand-new finance director; having started in May. “The key thing is that we are all committed to the mission to provide services to the Fair Haven community regardless of ability to pay.” She says that makes her job more challenging, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (pictured on the left, with city health director Bill Quinn, center, and Clifford Beers Clinic executive director Chet Brodnicki on the right) grew up in Fair Haven. He says he joined the board of the health clinic the same year he got married and the same year he began serving in the General Assembly — 1981. He says the clinic has always filled an important need, perhaps now more than ever. “At a time when health care is growing increasingly expensive, and so many people are without insurance or adequate insurance, this center is an oasis of protection and care for so many people in this community.”
The Clifford Beers Clinic partners with the Fair Haven Clinic in many programs, providing children’s mental health services, such as for Latino families who are affected by HIV/AIDS.
