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Dr.
Raymond Drasga, founder of St. Clare Health Clinic,
talks with patient Deborah
Wilson in an
examination room. |
Dr. Raymond Drasga has made a career out of fulfilling patients' needs, including those of people who cannot afford to pay for services.
As he retires at the end of this month, following 30 years of service with Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point, where he served as medical director of the Burrell Cancer Institute, he will leave a legacy of helping patients not only afflicted by the dreaded disease, but those whose life circumstances would be next to hopeless, had they not had access to free care.
Drasga, in 1995, spearheaded efforts that led to the founding of St. Clare Health Clinic, which has grown significantly since opening in 1996, and provides free, nonemergency primary health care for uninsured clients of six area counties.
"I recognized the need for a free clinic in this area and took the idea to the Mother Superior of the Sisters of St. Francis order that was in charge of the hospital at that time," Drasga recalled.
A community assessment followed and the idea was approved.
"We started with three people – me, Kathy Nix (a nurse practitioner, who still is with the clinic), and Margaret Stoffregen-DeYoung (now nursing program director at the University of St. Francis Crown Point campus)," Drasga said.
Now, the staff, which largely consists of volunteers, includes more than 50 physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, offsite professionals and reception and support staff. Annual patient visits have jumped to more than 4,000, from about 1,000 when the clinic opened, prompting a move in 2009 to a new, larger location at 1121 S. Indiana Ave., from its cramped, former home at 1000 S. Court St.
The clinic, which is under the auspices of Franciscan St. Anthony Health, partially is funded through the hospital and also receives donations, gifts and assistance from community service groups.
David Ruskowski, hospital president, called Drasga a great physician and a true leader.
"Through his guidance as medical director of our oncology services, Franciscan St. Anthony Health and its Burrell Cancer Institute offer the highest-quality prevention, treatment and therapy for cancer. Through his leadership and example, the legacy of quality, high-tech treatment will continue.
"He has also been an inspiring leader as the founder and volunteer physician and the medical director of our St. Clare Clinic. Through his efforts, thousands of people, who otherwise might have gone without care, have received it," Ruskowski said.
Ruskowksi also pointed out that in 2010, Drasga received the hospital's St. Raphael Award.
"This is the highest honor our nurses bestow upon physicians who exhibit to them the finest leadership, cooperation and teamwork. We will miss Dr. Drasga's compassionate treatment of patients, families and St. Anthony staff. We wish him well in his well-deserved retirement," Ruskowski said.
Sister Aline Shultz, Franciscan Alliance corporate vice president of development, marketing and public relations, agreed.
"Dr. Drasga is an exceptional physician-leader who started the St. Clinic in 1995 with a vision for health care for the uninsured. He is passionate about mission and quality care. We have been blessed indeed to have had him working with us these many years. We wish him blessings and all the best as he embarks into a new chapter of his life."
Patient Deborah Wilson, who Drasga recently treated at the clinic, also credits him with helping rid her of cancer in the last 10 years.
"He is a wonderful doctor. He saved my life and I will miss him a lot," she added.
Drasga, 60, who also ran Michiana Hematology Oncology PC – Advanced Center for Cancer Care in Crown Point, says his immediate retirement plans include two vacations.
After those, "We’ll just let God guide things," he said.
