The Lake Superior Community Health Center was begun as a student project in 1971 and has grown every year to reach its current full service Community Health Center status. From very humble beginnings as a free clinic operated just one night a month, this community based health center has grown to its current status as a Federally Qualified Health Center serving over 10,000 patients per year at its two sites, employing 85 staff members and providing services in the areas of medical, dental and behavioral health for a wide geographic area. The following time line describes many of the major milestones for this organization from its beginning in 1971 through 2010.
1971: University of Minnesota at Duluth Sociology Department started Project E.P.I.C., whose goal was to train consumers to better voice their opinions about health care delivery, especially to low income consumers. Out of that training the idea for a community health center was born.
1972: On Tuesday evening, May 2, 1972, nine persons were the first to be served by the Duluth Community Health Center. The free clinic was to be held the third Tuesday of each month. At that time, the health center was an affiliate of the National Free Clinic Council, which grew out of the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic, opened in 1967. The council had a membership of over 300 free clinics. Staff for the Duluth Community Health Center was all volunteer, and consisted of nurses, doctors, interns, medical technicians, National Guard medics, and other medical and non-medical volunteers.
Clinics were held in the basement of Sacred Heart Church in Duluth’s Central Hillside. The initial cash outlay was $56.17. All furniture, equipment, and supplies were donated, and brought out of storage at the beginning of each clinic.
1973: A $16,000 grant from the Ordean Foundation allowed the health center to purchase and renovate a building at 2 East 5th Street. The building was formerly a grocery store, the Fifth Street Cash Market, owned by Julius G. and Gertrude A. Bergran. Clinical services began at the new building in May of 1973.
1974: The clinic’s first full-time director, Kathy R. DeShaw, was hired.
1974 – 1976: Grants for additional funding came from the Model Cities Administration, the Community Action Program, the St. Louis County Welfare Board, the MN State V.D. Control Program, United Way of Duluth and Superior. Additional staff was hired and a volunteer training program was put into place.
1977: First Nurse Practitioner and Executive Director in charge of finance were hired.
1978: Plant and rummage sale held along with a Celebrity Volleyball game. Proceeds: $487.00!
1981: Second floor of building rented to Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault and Domestic Abuse Intervention Program; basement rented to Duluth Outreach Group for Battered Women. Rent money paid for building maintenance.
1984: New Health Care Director, Laura Foerst, hired.
1985: New Executive Director, Joanne Axtell, hired. $38,000 grant received from McKnight Foundation for general medical program.
1986: Marj Lindemann hired as Health Care Director.
1987: Fifteen year old “donation” policy is discontinued. Patients are now asked to pay based on household income and number of dependents, although no one is to be denied medical care.
Dr. Judith Arvold becomes first physician on DCHC Board.
1988: Grants received from Emma B. Howe Foundation and MN Power & Light. Floor plans for building improvements donated by Larson, Harvala & Berquist.
Pilot for Monday evening Pediatric Clinic began with four volunteer pediatricians.
1990: $70,000 building renovation project completed with funding assistance from MP&L, Ordean Foundation, Bush Foundation, Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, McKnight Foundation, and United Way of Duluth.
1991: Wende Nelson hired as Executive Director. Health Care Access Office begins service. The Health Care Access Office provides medical social work services and eligibility screening for low income community members.
1992 – 1995: Additional programs added, including smoking cessation program, lead screening for children, and additional HIV/AIDS support services.
1993: DCHC approved as a Federally Qualified Health Center: Look alike. Mental Health/Behavioral Health services expanded.
1996: Began working to secure funding for expansion of health center. Capital campaign initiated by Executive Director and Board of Directors.
1998: Fully remodeled the site at Lake and 5th to add more exam rooms, social work offices, a lab, and a medication room.
1999: Received Federal Section 330 grant funding to plan and open a clinic in Superior, Wisconsin.
2000: Gail Baldwin, MD, hired as Medical Director; Kathy Miller hired as Chief Financial Officer.
August, 2000: Opened new clinic at 1419 Hill Avenue in Superior.
2005: Received a Federal earmark through U.S. Representative Dave Obey to fund the start-up of a dental clinic in Superior.
June, 2005: Purchased and remodeled the old Duluth Clinic West building and moved Duluth operations to the new location.
October, 2005: Sold building at Lake & 5th to be remodeled into low income housing.
November, 2005: Leased and completed remodeling of the old Duluth Clinic South facility in Superior and moved clinical operations to this new site at 3600 Tower Avenue.
December, 2005: Opened new Dental Clinic at the Superior site.
2006: Secured funding for a dental clinic start-up in Duluth from Generations Health Care Initiatives. Dental services began at Duluth site with eight operatories and three dentists.
2008: Dr. Debra Lake, DDS, became Dental Director.
2009: Secured Federal ARRA funding to expand dental facility in Duluth by three more operatories, add three more dentists and purchased needed medical, laboratory, and dental equipment.
2010: Continued all medical, dental, behavioral health and medical social work services in the face of funding cuts and economic problems impacting the country.
