For 30 years now, the Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic in Doylestown, has worked diligently to help serve those with low-income, writes Jane M. Von Bergen for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

“A lot of our patients are too busy trying to eke out a living,” said nurse-practitioner Ann Ruesch. “Health is last on their list. They pay the rent and they get food before they get health care.”

Since it was founded in 1994, more than 17,000 Bucks County children and adults with low incomes have received free medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health care. Most of the care has been given by volunteers.

Ruesch volunteered for about a year before becoming a paid staffer in 1996.

One of the commonalities of all Silverman Clinic patients is a desperate need for care.

Amanda Myers of Southampton can attest to how helpful the clinic is.

When she first moved from Florida, she couldn’t find a job right away and didn’t have insurance.

Myers, however, suffered from raging headaches caused by uncontrolled ear infections.

Silverman Clinic gave her antibiotics to curb the infection and a referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. All of it was free.

“They actually cared,” Myers said.

Read more about Silverman Clinic and how it aids its patients at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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