Non-Profit Clinic Program
In January 1988, the Salvation Army of Chicago and NUHS
initiated a cooperative program to offer health care to the
underserved. As a result of this cooperation, NUHS staffed clinics
at two Salvation Army rehabilitation centers.
The program filled a gap in health care opportunities for the
centers' residents. Prior to the NUHS clinics, the occupants
received limited, if any, medical attention. An MD volunteered one
half-day each week at one center, but was so overwhelmed that he
spent most of his time writing prescriptions. At the second center,
a nurse visited the shelter once a week, but could provide only
very limited health care.
Thanks to the NUHS clinic program, all that changed. While one
of the two Salvation Army centers has now closed, a chiropractic
physician from NUHS and several interns from the DC program still
staff the remaining clinic. The NUHS interns and physicians collect
medical histories and give complete physicals to each patient.
Those with diagnosed pathologies are provided appropriate treatment
or are referred to other health care providers for treatment. A
medical record is developed for each patient listing information on
his/her current state of health, noting any diseases and/or
dysfunction found, outlining a treatment plan, and recording
patient progress.
National University's naturopathic medicine students are also able
to spend a trimester rotation at the Salvation Army center as
part of their own clinical experience.
This unique opportunity at an inner-city clinic provides both DC
and ND interns with the ability to treat patients with a wide
variety of medical issues and hone their skills of examination,
diagnosis and management. They are also able to develop
interpersonal relationships and create a caring, empathetic
doctor-patient relationship.
