Brooklyn Free Clinic is a shining example of everything American medicine needs to be (but isn't at…read moreall). I had an amazing experience here last night - from the friendliness of reception to the professionalism of the medical staff - and the only downside I saw was that this free community service is one that more people don't know about. Hopefully this review will help to change that (BFC wasn't even a Yelp entry until I added it! I learned about it on the Brokelyn website).
So, yes, I am an overeducated, underemployed working class hero (hey, it's something to be). I moved to New York this summer in, as Johnny Cash and June Carter would say, a fever. While I'm looking for faculty positions (insert standard grumbling about the economy, etc etc), I am working as an editor whose employer does not offer health insurance. Oh, the American dream!
I have been feeling pretty under the weather the entire month of January, but didn't go to the doctor because... well, I don't have one because I'm uninsured. Finally, my gross coughing and scratchy voice got to be too much. I looked up free clinics in Brooklyn.
Enter the Brooklyn Free Clinic. I was slightly skeptical since the clinic was not on Yelp, and because when anything is "free" it is usually over-used. I imagined long lines, a dirty lobby, and being turned away after waiting in a dingy waiting room for hours with angry receptionists and sneezing children. NONE of this was true.
Located in the heart of Bed-Stuy, the Free Clinic is run by the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - by med students and volunteers, and one (amazing) doctor on staff. I arrived promptly at 5:30pm - the clinic is ONLY open Tuesdays from 5:30-8:30pm right now. Their website says that walk-ins are welcome, but warns also that you may not be seen, as current patients sometime wait up to three months for appointments. When I arrived, the very pleasant reception staff told me that it may not be possible to see me tonight, but that if I didn't mind waiting, they would try to fit me in.
About half an hour later, they had me filling out paperwork and I officially became a client. I'm not going to lie, the wait is long, and when you have a gross cough like I do, it can be slightly uncomfortable - but it is completely worth it. The lobby is utilitarian - it reminds me of, surprised, socialized medicine (I mean this in a positive way - I am all for socialized everything), and after the local and national news was over, one of the staff popped in a very informative (but also super cheesy, heh) video on STD testing (said video was made before the acronymic switch to "STI" - but was nonetheless effective in conveying its message) for the lobby to enjoy.
Anyhow, when you're finally called, you check in with a social worker, a step that is a wonderful asset to a slightly rough neighborhood. She will tell you about all the services that the clinic offers (which include women's reproductive health, mental health, and STI testing), and ask you about yourself. The social worker who interviewed me was very pleasant and helpful. You then have to go back and wait a little while longer. Remember, these are volunteers and medical students, and all the services are free.
It was a little before 8pm before I was seen. The 1st year and 3rd year medical students who did my preliminary check up were wonderful. We yucked it up about grad school and they teased me for not knowing exactly where my lungs are (hey, my doctorate is in the humanities!). The 3rd year med student was super helpful in talking to me about general health, as well as in giving a preliminary diagnosis. Dr. Kaiser Islam is the medical director of the clinic, and he sees each patient to confirm diagnoses and to write prescriptions if necessary.
Turns out I have an inner ear infection, mild strep, and a mystery cough. But guess what?! The antibiotics that I needed to get - one prescription was free when filled at Rite Choice pharmacy across the street on Fulton, and the other was very inexpensive. If I hadn't found the Brooklyn Free Clinic, I would have let all of this go , and possibly had worse infections. Seriously? Seriously.
I cannot speak highly enough of the Brooklyn Free Clinic. It incites me to anger to think of the state of health care in this country, and having had health insurance my whole life until now, I am honored and humbled to have had such a positive experience at the free clinic - particularly when I have had really shitty experiences at expensive specialist clinics in the past.
ALL medicine should be like this. I believe if you can pay, then yes, please by all means contribute to your health care. But we all have rough times in our lives, and until we're on our feet, there is always the Brooklyn Free Clinic. Don't be afraid to humble yourself a little - remember, you can always give back when things are on the ups. BFC: Come on in, the water's nice down here.
