Christian Román Acevedo, MPH
Diego Lopez Soto, BS
Alondra Soto-González, BS
Gabriel Camareno-Soto, BS
Priamo Pichardo, BS
Antonio Morales Montalvo, BS
Laura Bou Delgado, BS

Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Bayamón, Puerto Rico

Introduction

Clínicas Padre Venard is a student-run free clinic that has provided essential healthcare services to the underserved, uninsured, and houseless population of Old San Juan since 1999. Every other Saturday between 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., medical students of the Universidad Central del Caribe gather at Parroquia San Francisco de Asís to offer primary care, distribute hygiene products, provide meals, and foster a supportive social environment.

Methods

Since January 2024, new guidelines have been implemented to improve medical education, patient care, and clinic operations. Physician recruitment efforts were expanded to include dermatology, ophthalmology, urology, dentistry, and other specialists. A comprehensive physician database was developed to streamline scheduling and improve patient care coordination. Administrative operations were optimized through strategic grant applications aimed at securing funding. Feedback forms were introduced after each clinic session to ensure continuous improvement, allowing for regular input from volunteers. Outreach efforts were enhanced via social media platforms, informational flyers, and university-based donation campaigns. New research initiatives were also launched to assess the unique healthcare challenges the houseless community faces, enabling targeted and data-driven interventions.

Results

Our methods collectively contributed to the clinic’s growth, efficacy, and ability to provide comprehensive healthcare services to the houseless population of Old San Juan. From January to December 2024, we held 14 free clinics, cared for 192 patients, provided 271 free meals, and engaged 274 student volunteers (medical and undergraduate students), as well as 22 physicians.

Conclusion

Our specialized clinics were a success, allowing us to serve 125 patients while expanding physician recruitment. We aim to continuously adapt our services to meet the needs of our patient population by incorporating additional specialized clinics into our agenda, such as otorhinolaryngology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, and cardiology. These efforts will enhance healthcare accessibility and ensure continuity of care within our community.

IRB Approval Number

2024-01