MADISON — Our Lady of Hope Clinic marked its first anniversary of providing authentically Catholic primary care to southern Wisconsin on Thursday, April 1.
The Madison area’s most unique primary care clinic began offering patient-benefactors 24/7 access to a personal physician on April 1, 2009.
Family friendly clinic
“This past year has been more humbling and more rewarding than we ever imagined,” said Our Lady of Hope Clinic President Dr. Michael Kloess. “It is an incredible blessing to provide the Diocese of Madison a family practice clinic that is truly family friendly.”
The clinic has now signed up more than 100 benefactors — patients whose annual contributions qualify them to receive unlimited access to their personal doctor. Kloess said many of these benefactors have signed up because of the clinic’s Catholic nature.
“Our patients desire a real doctor-patient relationship and the confidence that their physician has the time to learn and understand their health concerns,” Kloess said. “They also prefer a clinic where they know their physicians do not perform abortions or sterilizations and will not push birth control on their teens.”
Personal touch
Count benefactor Alissa Hirscher among those who appreciate the groundbreaking clinic model.
“We have developed a relationship with Dr. Kloess and Dr. (Anne Volk) Johnson very quickly because they make themselves so available to us,” Hirscher said shortly after joining the clinic. “They have given us a personal touch that we didn’t have when working with larger clinics.”
Free care for uninsured
Following in the longstanding tradition of Catholic health care, Our Lady of Hope Clinic has also provided free care to hundreds of uninsured community members since June 1.
Clinic development director Steve Karlen said it is fitting the first anniversary fell on Holy Thursday. “On Holy Thursday, we recall the example Christ set when He washed the feet of His disciples at the Last Supper,” Karlen said. “Dr. Kloess and Dr. Johnson are living that example by using their own hands to heal the poor, the sick, and the marginalized.”
For information on becoming a patient-benefactor or supporting Our Lady of Hope Clinic, visit ourladyofhopeclinic.org or call Steve Karlen at 608-445-2063. Public tours are available at the clinic (6425 Odana Rd.) the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.