Results of Speaking at City Hall

I got an e-mail today from Kendra Williams, who is the Administrator of Community Health and Epidemiology here in Springfield. The e-mail was in response to our recent interactions with City Council.

I’ve attached the memo we are submitting to the City Manager’s office in answer to the concerns regarding the clinic. I appreciate the issues you brought to light and I hope we can address some of those through the strategies attached to this e-mail.

Sincerely,

Kendra Williams

Here is the attached memo, with certain parts bolded by me.

MEMO:

TO: Kevin Gipson, Director of Health
FROM: Kendra Williams, Administrator of Community Health & Epidemiology
DATE: June 3, 2008
Re: STD/HIV Clinic Operations

I understand that an individual who was turned away from the STD clinic addressed City Council on June 2, 2008 with concerns over the number of individuals seen in the clinic. I would like to give an overview of the clinic operations as they currently stand and then plans that are in place to increase the efficiency of the clinic.

Currently, the STD clinic is operated on a walk-in basis Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Individuals wishing to get an appointment for STD testing can do so on Thursday afternoons. Tuesdays and Thursdays are open all day for walk-in HIV testing. The Springfield-Greene County Health Department STD clinic is the only free clinic operating in the area. We accept individuals regardless of residency because diseases do not recognize County boundaries.

There are two nurses that work in the clinic (we are currently trying to hire a third) and each nurse will see 3 patients in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. On a normal clinic day, the two nurses would see a total of 12 patients. In the past 3 years, we have seen an average of 200 individuals each month in the clinic.

A study conducted since January of this year has revealed that approximately 55 individuals are being turned away each month from the clinic due to capacity issues. These capacity issues are being addressed by looking into a new service model. Research has been done to identify best practices for STD clinics operating similarly to our own. We have taken those practices and developed a proposal to better utilize our resources to serve the public. The proposed changes would involve going from mostly walk-in operations to appointment-based operations and running those appointments 4 ½ days each week. Theoretically, this would double the number of patients that could be seen each month from 200 to 400. The new goal for changing clinic philosophy is that no patient is turned away.

Overall, I'd say this is an excellent start. I have e-mailed her back and asked to be kept aware of how the new policies are working. Hooray!

Nosotros son caliente para el Consejo del Ciudad!

We went to a City Council meeting (see last post by JT). It was interesting. We showed up early, sat in the second row playing Tragic: the Garnering, and then got right down to business (well, after two and a half hours of watching City Council members hem and haw about other stuff).

We didn't think we'd have much luck getting anything done, since the City Council members looked old, and old people keep trying to kill us with their gods, but JT stood and delivered well, and they all seemed genuinely concerned about what we had to say. They decided to have someone talk to another poor-people-helping group, and see what could be done. The best part is, JT's going to be informed of what's going on via email.

Hopefully we can get our names out there to the members of the City Council, so that they can have the obscenely awesome pleasure of knowing who the fuck we are.

Round of applause for the J-Tizzle!

Respec'!

-Ryan

STD Testing

A few days ago, Amber, JT, and I went to the free clinic in Springfield to get tested for STDs in order to create a video blog about the experience for Beautiful Flower and Penis. We were hoping that, by setting an example, kids would feel better about going out to get their goods looked at.

When we got there, we found a stack of three numbers on the reception desk, which we dispersed amongst ourselves. Minutes passed, and it became clear to us that those numbers represented the three individuals who would be seen that morning by the clinic nurse. Three people. Once we realized this, we immediately gave up our numbers to the others who had shown up. It was painfully obvious that their needs greatly outweighed our own.

As we left the clinic, we were absolutely sickened by the entire situation. It turns out that only three people are seen two (thanks, Amber!) times a day. The population of Springfield is 151580, with approximately 16% living at a poverty level. I fail to see how this can adequately meet the needs of the city. How are we supposed to stop the spread of STDs, much less offer somewhere to be seen for maintaining your general health, when the free clinic is so limited in its capabilities?

Teh Juggernauts immediately took action. JT is planning on speaking at a community meeting to funnel more funding towards the free clinic, Amber is contacting various media outlets, and I...am bitching about it on the interwebz. 'Cause I'm cool like that.

Anyhow, since I am about 300 miles away from Springfield at the moment, I thought that I would look up some places you can go be tested for STDs.

1. The Free Clinic
1. This choice isn't for everyone and is very limited (*ahem*, see above experience), but it is still a valid option.
2. Planned Parenthood
1. Always a good option. They offer a wide range of services for a nominal fee. And, as far as I can tell, they are thoroughly nonsketchy.
   
3. College Health Facility
1. For us college kids, this is a good way to go. It's always cheaper than going to a regular doctor...but it can be a little bit sketchy. As far as I know, Taylor Health and Wellness at MSU doesn't offer STD testing. It turns out that they do offer on site STD testing. Thanks, Carly!
   
4. Your Lady Parts/Dude Thingies Doctor
1. I suppose this is the most obvious option, but can get pretty pricey. But knowing what's up with your junk is very integral to anyone's well being.

Does anyone know of other options that I am missing?


Lauren