After delivering hundreds of babies, it seemed a cruel twist of fate when Dr. Amy Jane Cadieux had difficulty conceiving with her husband. Even so, she says, "My infertility was the best thing that ever happened to me. I went on to adopt two beautiful daughters from China—Tessa and Paige. Your own life adventures can really help other people."
Having been in the same situation, Cadieux has the utmost empathy for her infertility patients and openly shares her own experiences. "I understand that the tests really hurt, and I know how much of a financial burden it can be to couples because the tests are really expensive," says Cadieux. "They appreciate hearing my stories and knowing that I lived through the same thing they’re going through."
And Cadieux celebrates with patients when treatments are successful. For those who don’t have success, she mentions her daughters, explaining that there are other ways to build a family.
"I think some of the most powerful experiences are during the bad times," says Cadieux. "That’s when my patients need me the most. And after the bad times, it makes you appreciate the good times even more."
An always-on-call commitment makes obstetrics a demanding specialty. "Babies like to come after midnight and during snow storms," says Cadieux, who once delivered 14 babies in 24 hours during a winter emergency.
Cadieux was just 4 years old when she chose her career. People would always try to correct her, saying, "Oh, you mean you want to be a nurse."
But Cadieux definitely wanted to be a doctor—and she never wavered from her lifelong goal, which makes the specialty she chose that much more precious to her.
"Obstetrics and gynecology are amazing," says Cadieux. "I have the privileged opportunity to have relationships with 40-50 women a day. Getting to know them, loving them and going through celebrations and crises with them is wonderful." |
GlaxoSmithKline Announces 2007 IMPACT Award Winners
GlaxoSmithKline has chosen eight small to midsize nonprofit healthcare organizations from the Greater Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, areas as recipients of the tenth annual GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards.
A panel of healthcare experts and GlaxoSmithKline executives  selected the winners, each of whom will receive $40,000 from the
pharmaceutical company, for their exemplary community healthcare programs. The recipients include the Clinic in Phoenixville, the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, the Free Clinic of Doylestown, the Institute for Safe Families, the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, the Samaritan Counseling Center, and the Water Street Rescue Mission Medical/Dental Clinic.
To date, the IMPACT Awards program has invested nearly $4 million to support the work of eighty-six organizations. "The ability to live independently is an important issue for many elderly people living in the United States," said Mary Linda Andrews, director of U.S. Community Partnerships for GlaxoSmithKline. "We understand that life can be difficult for those who are uninsured and underinsured as well as those in underserved communities where language and cultural barriers persist."
“GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards: Fighting for Philadelphia's Elderly Community.” GlaxoSmithKline Press Release 2/12/07.
Primary Subject: Health
Location(s): Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia |
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Clinic gets $150K grant
©The Phoenix 2007
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PHOENIXVILLE - Prescriptions and new equipment for patients will come easier for The Clinic the next three years thanks to the largest corporate grant it has received to date.
The $150,000 from Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Charitable Medical Grant Program is huge for the medical center serving the uninsured, Kathleen Wierz, Executive Director of The Clinic, said.
"It's very exciting for us. Having a three-year commitment so we can count $50,000 each year will take the stress off the general operating budget since we'll know we have funding for certain aspects of patient care," Wierz said.
All the money will be used for patient care, including both prescription and non-prescription drugs. General medical supplies and more advanced equipment will also be purchased with the new funding.
"It significantly impacts our budget," Wierz said. "It will allow us to provide more care, especially extensive work like laboratory testing, to more patients. That's what it's about."
The funding, which came as a surprise to the staff at The Clinic, was provided by IBC, who sets aside money to support volunteer medical clinics in Southeastern Pennsylvania that provide free or nominal-fee care to uninsured residents.
"We are extremely grateful to IBC for this opportunity," Wierz said. "We are proud to partner with them to meet the needs of the growing number of uninsured in our area."
The Clinic, located on 143 Church St., sees people not only from all over the county and state, but even from around the country and 97 international countries.
It serves 50 to 60 patients per day, over 800 per month and from 9,000 to 10,000 per year with the numbers continuing to grow.
"As a non-profit organization which operates on the free clinic model of health care, The Clinic often struggles for resources. Income from patient contributions only covers 20 percent of our yearly operating costs," Wierz said. "This generous commitment from the social mission fund of IBC will mean we can continue to provide quality care to our patients, regardless of their ability to pay." |
Blues at Columbia will aid Clinic
©The Phoenix 2007
By Dennis J. Wright, dwright@phoenixvillenews.com
03/01/2007
PHOENIXVILLE - Paul Michael & The Blues Recruits will be headlining a benefit concert for The Clinic at Robert Ryan's Columbia Station this Saturday night, April 15, 2007, at 7 p.m.
The proceeds from the event will go to The Clinic, 143 Church St., Phoenixville, said Paul Michael.
He said he spoke with Kathleen Purcell Wierz, executive director, The Clinic, a few months ago about the concert.
"I approached the Clinic about a benefit concert for them," said Michael. "I'm one of the many who don't have medical insurance. I've wanted to do a benefit before, but it never worked out. I approached the new director, Kathleen, and she heard my demo and flipped.
"We talked about things and Kathleen chose the Columbia Station for the show. It's a place that suits all aspects. It is a comfort situation, convenient and romantic as well. I didn't want to play in a high school gymnasium. The guys in the band are anxious to do this. They understand how valuable a place like The Clinic is. People with medium to sporadic incomes who don't have medical insurance use The Clinic, a great place that treats you like a human being when something is wrong. They (band members) are excited about the show."
Wierz said that Paul Michael has been a long time supporter of The Clinic.
"Paul Michael is a fabulous musician and has a wonderful band," said Wierz. "He's always been a grateful patient of Dr. Lorna Stuart. Due to the high cost of healthcare, he depends on us just like a lot of people do."
The Clinic cares for an estimated 800 patients a month, Wierz said, and that good healthcare requires some additional funding.
"Our biggest challenge is funding," she said. "We have to have money coming in to support our patient care. Whether it is medicine, equipment or testing, it is just like running a doctor's office.
"We are 100 percent supported by the generosity of the community. I don't know where we'd be without the help of everyone."
While Paul Michael will be lead vocals and guitar, he'll be joined by his Blues Recruits Gene Isayev on saxophone, keyboards and flute, Dave Kupperman on lead guitar, Dick Donovan on Fender Bass and Spike McRae on drums.
After going through several sets of Blues Recruits over the past several years, Paul Michael said he feels he's finally got the sound he's been searching for.
"This is the sound I've been looking to make for quite some time," said Michael. "That's what I got with these guys. After 40 years of making music, and 10 years of looking and searching, these guys meet my musical needs."
Paul Michael also said that Julia Vaughters will be doing a few tunes during one of the sets, along with drummer Larry Hinkel.
Along with great music, the event will include dinner, wine & beer, a silent auction and a raffle. One of the prizes being raffled off is a print entitled "Commonly Jazz" by Chester County artist Dane Tilghman.
Paul Michael said the Blues Recruits will be performing two sets between 8 and 11 p.m.
"We have a couple of songs that we've done Blues Recruit style like 'Nowhere To Run,' 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine,' and 'Spooky,'" he said. "Then there will be a few originals like 'Long Sufferin Sam' and 'Debra Charlotte,' a song about my high school sweetheart who I haven't seen in 40 years, and some blues classics like 'Help The Poor' and "Howling For My Darling.'
"We want people to come out and relax. We'll be doing a lot more rocking than we usually do. People will be able to get up and dance both fast and slow since there will be plenty of room. We're going to kick some butt Saturday night."
Wierz said that they are already anticipating an excellent turnout Saturday night.
"We've received a wonderful response with over 180 reservations so far," she said. "We're pleasantly surprised. We feel a lot of people are fans and followers of Paul Michael and The Blues Recruits."
Tickets are $50 per person, and will be held at the door. This event is sponsored by Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust. |
Sample-size toiletries for women and men, (hotel soaps and lotions that we can make small gift bags for patients)
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Gift cards (for families in need)
to: Acme, Giant or Redner's
Supplies:
Children’s Band-Aids
Rolls of paper towels
Clorox disinfectant wipes
13-gallon white trash bags
Large heavy-duty garbage bags
Paper & plastic cups
Avery #8160 mailing labels
Avery #8471 business cards
Unopened white and color copy paper
Staples gift cards
K-Mart gift cards |
Black & Color Sharpie Markers
Highlighters
Refill rolls of Scotch tape
Post-It flags
Postage stamps
If you are interested in donating or purchasing any of the following items for The Clinic, please contact Krys Sipple at 610-935-1134 ext. 30, so that she may describe our specific needs:
- Hand Truck/Dolly
- Gooseneck Floor Lamp
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Please call (610) 935-1134 for more information or to schedule the drop-off of
items. Every one of these items that we don’t have to purchase means that more
resources are available for direct patient care. Thank you for your help!
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