Plum Health Blog

Paul Thomas Paul Thomas

Volunteering at Cass Clinic

Volunteering in the community is an important part of what I do as a doctor. I enjoy helping medical students learn the basics of primary care and serving the community in this way.

This week, I'm at Cass Clinic for their Saturday Morning clinic. It's in Detroit's Midtown Neighborhood and they serve people without insurance, who are homeless, living in drug rehab centers or otherwise vulnerable.

I am grateful that the Wayne State University Medical Students continue to care for the community in this way as they run this clinic without much outside help. If you want to donate medication, bathroom supplies, or hats, gloves, and socks, there's a donation link on their webpage - www.cassclinic.com.

Additionally, I volunteer at the Student Run Free Clinic on the East Side of Detroit at 5555 Connor Ave, just south of I-94. I volunteer at the SRFC once a month and at Cass Clinic about once a month as well. 

I have been volunteering at the Cass Clinic since about age 17. I grew up attending a Methodist church and I was looking for unique volunteer opportunities. I came across the Cass Clinic as it is a part of the Cass Community Social Services, which is a Methodist organization. When I started volunteering, I worked with Medical Students at WSU SOM as they took care of patients in this setting. Watching these young medical students was an inspiration, and from that point on knew which medical I wanted to attend - Wayne State! 

In Detroit, just like in many communities, the needs are great. I know that a few half days a month will not save the world, but these small actions do make a big difference in the lives of the patients that we serve. 

Thanks so much for reading and watching!

- Paul Thomas, MD

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