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June 2008 Volume 32 No. 6
Dean praises but decries need for free clinics


Dean Philip A. Pizzo offered praise to those who volunteer at free clinics, but he used the opportunity to lament that free clinics are necessary.

In his May 5 Dean’s e-newsletter, Pizzo noted that the Cardinal Free Clinics, sponsor of the 18-year-old Arbor Free Clinic and the 5-year-old Pacific Free Clinic, held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception on April 29 to thank the “many students (undergraduate, graduate and medical) who staff the clinics and serve as managers and leaders, as well as the many faculty and community physicians and community members who volunteer their time and provide supervision, consultation and support to these weekend clinics.”

The dean said he had “much admiration and respect for all the individuals who give so much of their time to help those who would not otherwise have access to medical screening and diagnostic services.” But he called for a national discussion and subsequent effort to retool the American healthcare system so that free clinics will no longer be needed.

—Courtesy Dean Philip A. Pizzo’s e-newsletter,
http://deansnewsletter.stanford.edu/archive/05_05_08.html