By Msgr. Noel C. Burtenshaw

Just over a hundred years ago, St. Joseph’s Hospital began its mercy mission in downtown Atlanta in a simple little clinic. The giant modern cardiac center in north Atlanta is no longer a simple, outpatient clinic but it has a new extension that is a reminder of that century old humble beginning.

About five miles east of the present hospital, St. Joseph’s has opened MediCenter, a neighborhood medical center that gives walk-in patients hospital-quality medical treatment.

“MediCenter,” says Emergency Unit Manager Becky Bosselman, “is for non-life threatening ailments. If we get anyone who comes to the center needing more than we can give, we send them to St. Joseph’s or whatever hospital they request.”

This new outreach of the venerable St. Joseph’s can give a lot. Mostly what it wants to give is service and quick service at that. “We stay open with two shifts,” says assistant head nurse Betsy Spradling, “every single day of the year including holidays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Within these hours, no appointment is needed and each patient is seen within 15 minutes.”

When Betsy says “seen” she means by a physician, if necessary. At all hours of the day a doctor is present to see all patients.

“The service we have begun to offer,” says Nurse Spradling, “is greatly appreciated in this area of Chamblee. We have lots of young families, lots of working parents and plenty of industry which often needs attention for on-the-job accidents.”

As we viewed the little center one afternoon, a constant stream came to the waiting room and one young man had a splint wrapped on his leg after falling from a roof.

St. Joseph’s Hospital acquired MediCenter in August last year. Since that time the hospital has been staffing and preparing the clinic as a full-time outpatient treatment facility that will be available to the community at hours convenient to them and at a minimum charge.

“Our base charge,” says Nurse Bosselman, “is $25 which includes the physician’s fee. The full charge may be more because of tests or whatever, but for the most part we charge less than a doctor’s office call.”

Looking over their records, the clinic staff points out that most of the people they see do not have a family doctor so the idea of competition has never really come up. The record also gives us the amazing statistic that this little clinic, with very limited space and only essential equipment has catered to almost 1,000 patients per month since the beginning of the year.

“We are a real service,” says Betsy Spradling, “and that pleases us.”

The busy center has demonstrated that 85 percent of the cases they have handled have been urgent cases. “People cut themselves or sprain an ankle or have household accidents - these we can handle. If a very serious one comes in, we send them to the hospital, but we can start I.V. here and call ahead.”

Young families often need help in a hurry. A child needs a physical for school or for sports participation and it was forgotten. MediCenter will not file for insurance; they will supply all needed evidence that treatment has taken place, so that many patients may file themselves.

“We must keep costs at a minimum,” says Becky Bosselman. “That’s the whole purpose of our mission. However, in some cases, for example, Workman’s Compensation, we will file. That’s a simple matter. Others are not so simple and our staff is minimum.

There is never less than a staff of four in MediCenter. This always includes a doctor and a nurse. Technicians are also there for x-rays and other tests.

While MediCenter is greatly appreciated, it is still centered in the heart of upper middle class Atlanta. Will St. Joseph’s offer this same extension to poorer areas of or the city.

According to Kenneth Wheele, Administrator of St. Joseph’s, this may well happen. “This is our first effort,” says Wheeler. “We are extending the hospital’s facilities into the community. Our next extension will probably be into a mixed area where poor and others may avail themselves of the service. Perhaps soon we can extend the service to inner city places.” It is worth noting that Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago recently criticized the health care community, especially Catholic hospitals, for abandoning the poor across the United States.

“The reason we are here in this center,” says Becky Bosselman, “is to continue the care of the sick with the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. We must keep that in sight.”

MediCenter with its little enthusiastic staff has the motto “Major Care for Minor Ills and Injuries.”

You certainly feel the “Major Care” as you enter the door. There is even an unfinished room which, hopefully, one day the community will use for health care projects. “Maybe a group like Hospice,” says Becky Bosselman, “will use it for C. P. R. groups. Whatever, we will be happy. It has the stamp and the backing of St. Joseph’s Hospital -- a proven, caring, expert in the field of health service.

MediCenter will hold an open house on Sunday, June 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is worth a visit. You will find it at 6806 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.