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The Raphael Community Free Clinic in Kerrville, Texas is a unique Dominican-Franciscan collaboration. It is produced and sustained by people in the heart of the Texas Hill country who use the clinic and by the broad spectrum of generous donors from the Hill country and beyond who provide for it financially and with contributed services.
From day one of dreaming about this special place, everything was done right, step by step, meticulously guided by the founders, Dominican Sr. Mary Ann Giardina and Franciscan Sr. Marge Novak. Sr. Marge, a nurse practitioner, recognized the urgent need to provide health care for people of the area who could not afford it, and who had no access to care or insurance. Sr. Mary Ann, formerly the treasurer for the Dominican Sisters of Houston, had a recognized ability for management, and was a friend and natural partner for this endeavor.
Every word in the clinic’s name - Raphael Community Free Clinic - is significant and deliberately intended to communicate its purpose to the people who use it and support it.
Prior to opening the clinic, a needs assessment of demographics, income and specific needs was undertaken and revealed that in 1996 60% of the clinic’s potential clientele had incomes of $10,000 or less annually. All were uninsured.
The Raphael Community free clinic first opened one day a week from 5-10 pm in a space in Notre Dame Parish Hall. On the first night in driving rain and darkness, the sisters arrived to find a full to overflowing parking lot of cars and clients. Word had spread and the clinic averaged 50 people a night. Soon after, a more permanent 2200 sq. ft. facility was donated by a generous local shop owner/benefactor. By spring of 1998 the clinic was open full time.
In 2001 a new 6000 sq.ft. building, on 2.3 acres of land, was dedicated. The site and new building was fully paid for by donors before completion. And the entire project was brought in under budget. Principals are Sister Marge Novak, O.S.F., clinic Director; Mary Ann Giardina, O.P., Clinic Administrator and CFO; full time bilingual medical assistant Sylvia Mendez; and volunteer coordinator (since 1996) George Hrdlicka.
Dr. Karl Hagemeier is the clinic Medical Director and Dr. Lisa Rouse follows up regularly with OB patients. Many other doctors in the community are available for consultation. Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital and the Hill Country Radiologists offer their services.
Other significant statistics are: 8,000 patient files, 125 patients seen weekly and over 525 prescriptions filled weekly. the real story here are the numbers of pre- and post-natal care for women and infants, the care for children, and the treatment with dignity of the overwhelmingly poor general population of the Hill country of Texas who without the Raphael community free clinic would have no health care, but with the clinic have access to excellent health care with dignity.