Kevin’s Community Center Celebrating Five Years Of Healthy Giving

By John Voket

It may surprise people that a community like Newtown needs a free health clinic. But after five years of giving back more than $2 million in life-sustaining services over the course of nearly 2,500 patient visits, Kevin’s Community Center has proven it is a service that is bridging a critical and widening gap between the insured and uninsured adults in town.

To clinic founder Dr Z. Michael Taweh, who named the organization in memory of his young son who died after a tragic accident, it seems like such a short time between the first patient and the latest. Since the clinic opened its doors, he and countless volunteers, including dozens of medical professionals and more than 100 medical specialty offices across the region partnering in the clinic’s referral network, have treated everything from the common cold to advanced cases including hundreds of diabetics, several cancer cases, and even those suffering with the HIV virus.

Besides its commitment to hands-on patient care at the clinic’s temporary home at the town’s Peck’s Lane office complex, Dr Taweh told The Newtown Bee that volunteers and staff have been working tirelessly behind the scenes on establishing a future home, tentatively targeting space at a new medical facility being developed at Fairfield Hills in partnership with Danbury Hospital.

“Once we are in a new home, we look forward to expanding our hours and services, to include two clinic sessions and one chronic care session per week,” Dr Taweh said. “We will be adding a medical library for community use and expanding our medical outreach program as well.”

 Not long after Dr Taweh and his wife Jocelyne lost their young son, a contingent of individuals led by Father Peter Towsley came to call, looking to help the family come to grips with their tremendous grief. After some consideration, and nearly a year of subsequent preparation, Kevin’s Community Center (KCC) opened to see patients in August 2003.

“That year we had 79 patient visits,” Dr Taweh said. “And through July 2008, we are at 2,461.”

Dr Taweh said that number is the driving reason behind why the clinic needs to expand both its physical space and scope of services.

“We are clearly trending ahead of 2007 in patient visits,” he said. “The need has been great, as evidenced by the number of new patients that have come to the clinic this year. This reflects the economy, rising costs of health care, co-pays and deductibles, as well as the need of people who have been laid off. They have to decide whether they pay the mortgage or buy insurance — usually the mortgage wins.”

Unfortunately, that trend has contributed to a growing number of KCC patients presenting with more serious illnesses as they have waited to come to the doctor for the lack of insurance. The clinic most recently added services including a diabetes education program lead by volunteer Maureen Moore, RN.

On September 14, the Tawehs thanked more that 75 active volunteers who make Kevin’s Community Center happen at a Volunteer Recognition Picnic at Dickenson Park. Special awards were presented to Father Towsley (Kevin’s Spotlight Award); the Volunteer of the Year, Dr Della Schmid; the Administrative Volunteer of the Year, Judy Matos; Professional Provider, Dr Grace L. Federman; Clinic Volunteer Edward Belanger for his outstanding contributions; and Volunteer Nurse of the Year, Virginia Alex, LPN.

“Not only were these community members recognized, but we also recognized the many physician specialists, including Housatonic Radiology Associates, Danbury Hospital, and Newtown Youth & Family Services, who treat Kevin’s Community Center patients at no charge,” said clinic volunteer Mary Marinaccio, RN.

Dr Taweh said he is constantly touched by the number and quality of medical partners who step forward, sometimes providing tens of thousands of dollars in services at no charge to Kevin’s uninsured patients.

“Every week, and for the past five years, volunteer doctors and nurses continue to be humbled by the degree of pain and suffering that our patients experience without health insurance; and we continue to experience greater need for more services to meet all the needs of this population, from medications to diagnostic testing, from counseling to referrals and from managing multiple and complex medical problems to helping prevent morbidity and mortality,” Dr Taweh said. “Today, the need for Kevin’s Community Center free clinic has never been greater, and our volunteers and donors/ supporters help make it happen.”

Joanne Logan has also joined the staff as KCC’s new director of development. In this position, she will be responsible for providing fundraising direction and leadership for KCC.

With a lifelong interest in health care, Ms Logan began her career as a clinical social worker. Demonstrating initiative from the start, she has been a clinical social worker, an executive director for an assisted living facility, a sales and marketing director for an assisted living facility, an executive director for a senior educational center, and a marketing director for a nursing and rehab center.

Leveraging an ever-expanding portfolio of qualifications covering sales, operations, and general management core abilities, Dr Taweh observed that Ms Logan has demonstrated flexibility in responding to changing market conditions and an ability to “wear many hats” in the effort to meet and exceed goals and challenges.

“Throughout her career, Joanne has had the opportunity to establish a strong network of contacts in small and large corporations,” Dr Taweh said. “The scope of her experience has spanned virtually all aspects of health care as well as team building and leadership, technology, implementation, and operations administration.”

In addition, Ms Logan has been a counselor and visitation volunteer for Hospice since 1996, and is active in several community organizations. She has also been a member of Kiwanis, serving as its president from 2005 to 2006.

Ms Logan holds a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University in New York and has a bachelor of science degree in social work from St Joseph’s College in West Hartford.

She told The Bee that she is excited about being a part of Kevin’s Community Center.

“When you see the good things that happen here at the clinic because of the hard work and dedication of its staff of volunteers, you believe in the cause,” Ms Logan said. “And when you see an individual regaining their strength and health because of the care they have been given here, you believe in the cause.”

Ms Logan believes by making health care possible for many people, KCC volunteers and staff members are not only enriching lives, but at the same time helping to develop a healthier community.

“My goal is to reach as many people as I can so as to raise community awareness of the wonderful things that Kevin’s Community Center does,” she said. “This will hopefully foster support for the clinic and the community it serves.”

As the community realizes its need to give back, more and more activities are cropping up to raise funds and awareness. An example is the clinic’s next major fundraiser, “Mozart, Merlot and Mums,” which is taking place September 20. The musical wine tasting party and silent auction is being hosted by Dr George and Shane Miller at their historic home on Main Street

The fundraiser is featuring live classical and jazz music, and will auction more than two dozen different gift baskets, many with multiple items such as gift cards and certificates for services.

Anyone interested in hosting or considering a fundraising activity, or who would like to volunteer or make a direct contribution to the clinic is invited to learn more at www.kevinscommunitycenter.org or to call 426-0496.