Expanding Access to Care

We are honored to partner with the Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California. Together, we’re addressing crucial healthcare needs and combating diabetes and mental health challenges in our communities. Our partnership exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives, ensuring every individual receives dignified, comprehensive care regardless of their circumstances. At John Muir Health, we’re honored to stand alongside the Clinic, expanding access to vital services and improving health outcomes for all.”

— MICHAEL THOMAS, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, JOHN MUIR HEALTH

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT

Timothy McInerney, Esq., KM

SECRETARY

Louis M. Meunier, KM

TREASURER

John Hallett, KM

VP OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

L.J. Michael Lambert, KM

Elizabeth Bernard, Esq., DM

Anne Brussok, DM – Ex Officio

John Christian, Esq., KM – Ex Officio

Sara K. Cumbelich, DM

William J. Cumbelich, KM

Dan L. Field, MD, KC, KM

Bridget McInerney Harris, Esq., DM

Marty Karpiel, MPA, FACHE, FHFMA, KM

Charlotte Kiesel, DM

Michael J. Matly, MD, KM

John Rengel, KM – Ex Officio

Mary M. Rudolph, NP, DM

Hon. Kevin V. Ryan, KM

William F. Sheridan, MD, KM

Kathleen C. Toney, NP, DM

Thomas Wallace, MD, KM

Charles V. Wirth, KM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PG. 4

A LEGACY OF CARE, A FUTURE OF HOPE

A Message from Our President

PG. 6

ABOUT THE CLINIC Mission, Vision, and Legacy

PG. 8

MEET DR. SUSAN FERNYAK

Our New Medical Director on the Front Lines of Caring for Those in Need

PG. 10

UNDER CONSTRUCTION Clinic Provides Essential Services Even While Doors Are Closed

PG. 12

A YOUNG MAN’S JOURNEY TO HEALING AND HEALTH

By Anne Brussok, DM

Clinic Manager

PG. 14 2023 FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS

PG. 15

GIVING REPORT

PG. 16

16TH ANNUAL CHAMPIONS GALA

Celebrating this Year’s Silver Chalice Award Winners

PG. 18

VANGUARDS OF HEALING AND HOPE

Dan Field, MD, KC, KM

PG. 20

PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Tom Wallace, KM Receives Star Volunteer of the Year Award

The Divine Providence of Fr. Francisco Díaz, SJ, MD

PG. 22

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Andy Moyce, MD

A LEGACY OF CARE , A FUTURE OF HOPE

A Message from Our President

As the Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California celebrates its 16th year of service this year, it is gratifying to look back on the achievements and people who shaped 2023. Thanks to the support of our growing community of donors and the outstanding work of our dedicated front-line staff, volunteers, physicians, and partners, the Clinic met the comprehensive healthcare needs of more than 5,000 patients last year and marked our 50,000th patient visit since we opened our doors in 2008.

We have always been committed to expanding patient access to high-quality, compassionate care. The Clinic’s long-awaited expansion is nearly complete, and numerous people have been involved in this major initiative. The expansion effort to double our footprint has required extensive thought, planning, and fundraising to realize our vision. Thanks to the Clinic Board and so many others on this journey, including the incredible partnership with Bishop Michael Barber, SJ, we are almost at the finish line to increasing the Clinic’s capacity to serve up to 12,000 patients annually. I hope you will join me in celebrating this milestone at our grand reopening in June.

As our volunteers and staff prepared for and managed the expansion efforts, we were also blessed to welcome our new full-time Medical Director, Dr. Susan Fernyak, to the Clinic team. With more than 25 years of experience providing comprehensive healthcare services in underserved Bay Area communities, Dr. Susan brings the Clinic invaluable medical

and administrative talents. Her understanding of our patients’ needs, combined with her experience with the latest healthcare technologies, enabled us to launch our new telemedicine program in record time. Under Dr. Susan’s leadership, this strategic Board initiative has allowed us to continue to serve patients virtually during construction while providing the foundation for ongoing high-quality remote patient care and engagement moving forward.

To ensure and sustain our truly free model of healthcare now and in the future, the Clinic must continue to raise new funds and enlist new service providers and partners in our mission.

Looking beyond the Oakland expansion, our focus is to increase public awareness and understanding of the Clinic and the services we provide in order to build more support for our work, and to extend our unique model to other California communities in need.

Over the past 16 years, the Order of Malta Clinic has grown in scope, services, hours of operation, and now size – because of the generous support of a legion of dedicated individuals, donors, healthcare providers, and community partners. And the tireless work by our staff and volunteers – from medical professionals to

Board members – has allowed the Clinic to take on more patients and to provide more specialty services than ever before. Thanks to all of them, this amazing, caring Clinic at The Cathedral of Christ the Light truly exemplifies a “Miracle on 21st Street.”

With sincerest thanks for your continued support and belief in healthcare access for all,

Timothy L. McInerney, KM April 2024

ABOUT THE CLINIC

Mission, Vision, and Legacy

The Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California is a free nonprofit healthcare clinic located in downtown Oakland, adjacent to The Cathedral of Christ the Light. Staffed by an all-volunteer team of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, the Clinic provides comprehensive preventive and specialty medical care to more than 5,000 uninsured and underserved patients a year. As part of our commitment to providing care to those in need, all medical services and lab work are provided at absolutely no cost to patients.

In recent years, our Clinic has witnessed a significant surge in patient numbers, particularly among the employed yet uninsured population, underscoring the critical need for affordable and accessible healthcare. These patients are often one medical crisis away from serious financial hardships and rely on the Clinic’s free services to avoid housing insecurity.

As we embark on a period of growth and expansion, the Clinic’s impact continues to ripple across communities. Our services now extend to patients hailing from more than 81 cities in the Bay Area and beyond, reaching as far as Sacramento, Santa Clara, and Sonoma counties.

2023 BY THE NUMBERS

OUR MISSION

Uphold human dignity and care for people in need.

OUR STORY

The Clinic was first envisioned in 2005 by the former Bishop of Oakland, Allen Vigneron and the President of the Western Association of the Order of Malta, Richard Madden. Rising from the Order of Malta’s commitment to practice charity to the sick and the poor, both men saw the opportunity to positively impact the health and well-being of the uninsured and the vulnerable of the Greater Bay Area. In 2008, several devoted Knights and Dames of the Order, under the leadership of the first President of the Clinic, William McInerney, partnered with the Western Association and the Diocese of Oakland to create the Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California.

OUR MODEL

Our team is comprised of more than 70 volunteer physicians, nurses, and support staff. Over the last 16 years, the Clinic team has contributed more than 92,000 volunteer hours to deliver high-quality care to those who need it most. Our streamlined operations and proven model allow us to provide medical care at $150 per patient visit, in contrast to a $2,220 visit to an emergency room physician.

PATIENT DEMOGRAPHICS 2023

CELEBRATED THE CLINIC’S PATIENT VISIT IN OCTOBER

50,000TH

LAUNCHED THE CLINIC’S

1ST

COMPREHENSIVE BRAND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

99

PROVIDED FREE MAMMOGRAM SCREENINGS TO PATIENTS

LOGGED MORE THAN VOLUNTEER HOURS SINCE THE CLINIC OPENED

92,000

CONDUCTED

305

PATIENT VISITS THROUGH THE DIABETIC NURSE EDUCATION PROGRAM

OUR LEGACY

The Order of Malta’s story began more than 900 years ago in 1048 A.D., when a group of hospitaller monks of the Order of St. John were asked to manage and staff a hospital in Jerusalem, caring for pilgrims and travelers of various faiths. That group of monks acted accordingly, and thereby founded the organization presently known as the Order of Malta, a lay order of the Catholic Church which ministers to the sick and the poor of many nations.

Today, we are honored to carry on the Order of Malta’s legacy of service by caring for the Bay Area’s uninsured and underrepresented communities. This includes undocumented families who are wary of seeking medical attention at physician offices or hospitals, as well as patients who do not visit a doctor regularly and/or have received little to no medical attention in recent years. For these individuals, our Clinic is their only source of safe medical care, in an environment of trust and compassion.

MEET

DR. SUSAN FERNYAK

Our New Medical Director on the Front Lines of Caring for Those in Need

Susan Fernyak, MD, MPH is on a mission: to reach more patients and to meet them “where they are.” As the new Medical Director of the Clinic, she’s inspired not only by the work, but by the opportunity to apply new technologies and expand the Clinic’s telehealth initiatives to help us help more. Dr. Susan follows in the footsteps of Dr. Vona Lorenzana, who retired in 2022 after serving admirably in the Medical Director role for more than eight years. The transition has been seamless, with Dr. Susan’s 25 years of experience and credentials guiding the way.

Following a distinguished career devoted to developing and implementing safety net care systems for underserved communities, Dr. Susan’s background in clinical and specialty services, along with her passion for processes and technologies that improve patient access and care, make her the ideal leader to guide the Clinic during this exciting period of transition and growth.

The Board spent a year finding just the right person to lead the Clinic through our transformation from 5,000 patient visits a year to 12,000 patient visits annually. Dr. Susan Fernyak is an extraordinary addition who is well-suited to lead the Clinic for the next 15 years.”

After earning her MD in internal medicine at Dartmouth Medical School and her master’s in public health at the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Susan began her professional career at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, where she held increasingly responsible positions in the Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Section for more than 14 years. Most recently, she served as Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director of Specialty Services at San Mateo Medical Center, where she provided leadership and oversight for more than 350 providers delivering primary, behavioral health, emergency, and surgical specialty services to uninsured and low-income individuals and families.

“In addition to her academic and medical accomplishments, Dr. Susan has an extraordinary personality and way with people,” notes Clinic Manager Anne Brussok, DM. “She brings a true sensitivity and sensibility and ease of working with patients, volunteers, and staff that transcends all levels. From the moment we all met her we knew she was the right person for this key position.”

Dr. Susan’s first charge was the launch of the Clinic’s integrated telehealth program, a key component of the Board’s five-year strategic plan and a vital continuum of care as the Clinic closed temporarily for its long-awaited renovation and expansion. During the closure, all major Clinic programs are continuing — including lab and imaging referrals and the

mobile mammography program — with no interruption in patient care or volunteer and provider engagement.

“My number-one priority is to make this telehealth system work for all of us — providers, nurses, volunteers, staff, and most importantly, our patients,” explains Dr. Susan. “Over my years of practicing medicine, I’ve realized how important clear structures and processes are to providing every patient with excellent, predictable and high-quality care, every time.”

The Clinic’s telehealth implementation team is training providers and volunteers and maximizing the Clinic’s state-of-the-art Electronic Health Records (EHR) and patient communications system, Kareo. This secure, cloud-based platform was made possible with the help of Clinic Board Member Dr. Michael Matly, KM, who was instrumental in introducing the Clinic to Kareo and leveraging the company’s support program for nonprofit health providers.

“Telehealth has no geographic boundaries and is an important part of being able to serve more underserved communities,” adds Dr. Susan. “Integrating telehealth into the Clinic’s programs enables us to further our mission to deliver individualized, whole-self patient care. It opens so many opportunities for the Clinic now and in the future.”

— TIMOTHY MCINERNEY, KM, BOARD PRESIDENT

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Clinic Provides Essential Services Even While Doors Are Closed

Last winter, the Clinic officially broke ground on our longneeded expansion project, which will double the footprint of our Downtown Oakland location and increase patient capacity to 12,000 visits per year - expanding the Clinic’s reach, impact, and ability to care for the underserved and uninsured.

Construction is currently underway and scheduled to be completed in early summer 2024. And while our doors may be closed, the Clinic is committed to providing essential services during construction to ensure patients have continuous access to care and treatment via telehealth services and community programs and partnerships.

TELEHEALTH SERVICES

Thanks to the successful transition to telehealth services, the Clinic has seen and treated more than 700 patients since construction began. In anticipation of going fully remote, the Clinic invested in multiple technology and systems upgrades and extensive staff training to ensure a seamless transition. We originally implemented Kareo, a telehealth software solution, in 2020 and have been successfully connecting patients to providers through phone calls and video conferencing ever since.

ORAL HEALTH CLINICS

To improve access to oral care, the Clinic partners with Dentists on Wheels, a local nonprofit that provides free dental services to uninsured and low-income families. The Clinic has referred many patients to receive free dental care and is working with Dentists on Wheels and John Muir Health to provide onsite mobile dental clinic services in the near future.

CAROL ANN REED MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES

As part of our commitment to women’s health, the Clinic partners with Sutter Health to provide mobile onsite mammography services to patients in need. Each month, the mobile mammography van offers convenient access for Clinic patients, improving early detection of breast cancer and increasing positive health outcomes. In 2023, the mobile clinic provided 99 free screenings.

As stewards of upholding human dignity and care for people in need, our commitment to serving the underserved remains steadfast, even though our doors are temporarily closed for construction. Thanks to our telehealth platform and many community partners, the Clinic is able to provide seamless and continuous care to patients while we complete expansion efforts that will more than double our capacity to care for the uninsured.”

— DR. WILLIAM SHERIDAN, KM, BOARD MEMBER

INCREASING PATIENT DEMAND

PODIATRY CLINICS

To combat the serious health conditions caused by poor foot care and podiatry issues in the unhoused community, the Clinic is currently in discussion with partners at St. Vincent de Paul, Samuel Merritt University School of Podiatry, and Nike to offer podiatry care, along with clean shoes and socks, to our neighbors in need.

To increase public awareness of the Clinic and its many services, the Board approved its first-ever paid media campaign, with the goal of reaching new potential patients. During the first phase of the campaign – which included a mix of billboards, bus shelters, in-station BART posters, and radio ads – patient visits increased by 20 percent. The campaign, led by Board member Sara Cumbelich in collaboration with the Clinic’s long-time marketing and communications partner, MacKenzie, is set to launch the second and final phase this spring, leading up to the grand opening of the expanded Clinic this summer. Now more than ever, it’s imperative to spread the word and let patients know that losing health insurance is no reason to lose hope.

You're Invited!

June 20, 2024

To celebrate the reopening of the Clinic, we are hosting a reception on June 20. All are invited to join us in commemorating this pivotal milestone.

June 26, 2024

We will also be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 26. Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ and the Deputy Mayor of Oakland Dr. Kimberly Mayfield are among the dignitaries who will be joining us for the special occasion.

A YOUNG MAN’S JOURNEY TO HEALING AND HEALTH

By Anne Brussok, DM Clinic Manager

About three weeks before a serious health crisis landed him in the Emergency Room, Nerjinder was feeling weak and out-of-sorts, his vision blurry and his weight down by more than 25 pounds, leaving him gaunt and sallow. Scared for his future and medically uninsured, the 25-year-old San Francisco hospitality worker was in a highly precarious position for anyone at his – or any – age.

Nerjinder’s hospital diagnosis was Type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment and immediate lifestyle and diet changes. Employed but without insurance and in need of high-quality, ongoing medical support, Nerjinder was referred by a local hospital to the Order of Malta Clinic for follow-up care.

When Nerjinder arrived at the Clinic for his first appointment, the 6-foot-tall young man weighed in at just 137 pounds. Immediately upon examination, internal medicine physician Dr. John Gunderson referred him to our Diabetes Nurse Educators to monitor and adjust his post-hospital insulin regimen. With a new long-term treatment program in place, the Clinic team also provided Nerjinder with an additional Freestyle Libre 2 glucose monitor and sensors, the latest in real-time glucose data and monitoring with no finger sticks. This advanced equipment –made possible by a generous grant from the John Muir Health Community Partner Benefit Program – provided Nerjinder with the medical technology he needed to begin to reclaim his health.

Over the next few weeks Nerjinder had multiple appointments with Clinic physicians and specialists, all of whom worked with him to monitor and prevent any insulin complications and introduce new meal-planning and exercise options.

Within a month of arriving at the Order of Malta Clinic, Nerjinder had regained most of his weight and eliminated other previous problems attributed to his diabetes. After three months, he became eligible to apply for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage and relied on the Clinic to bridge his prescriptions and care while awaiting a dedicated primary care provider. Today, thanks to the guiding hands of the Order of Malta Clinic team and his new PCP, he has learned how to keep his blood sugar steady and embraced new diet and exercise plans. Still a young man himself, he is dedicated to continuing to improve his health and is actively pursuing his passion to help other at-risk youth and young adults.

Nerjinder’s story is just one example of the commitment and partnerships that define the work of the Order of Malta Clinic. The gift of understanding, compassion, and care he received from us helped this remarkable young man transition from a very scary time in his life to one of purposeful determination and service to others. His journey has just begun.

PARTNER APPRECIATION

John Muir Health

Nerjinder is among the many patients who have benefitted from the support of the Clinic’s long-time partners at John Muir Health. The East Bay healthcare system’s impactful Community Partner Benefit Programs provide vital funding to nonprofit organizations serving underserved individuals and families throughout the region. Their grant programs span the spectrum of healthcare and are reflective of our shared values to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in our communities.

2023 FUNDING

The Order of Malta Clinic is funded entirely through private donations, grants, and fundraising events - a truly ‘free’ medical clinic. Patients are not billed for services, labs, or tests and the Clinic does not receive reimbursement from private insurance or government programs.

2023 FUNDRAISING BREAKDOWN FOR CLINIC OPERATIONS

CLINIC OPERATING EXPENSES

15TH ANNUAL GALA | $712,355

GRANTS | $254,000

GIFTS | $34,949

ORDER OF MALTA WESTERN

ASSOCIATION | $155,000

$748,937 $1,023,955 $1,200,000

2023

As a long-time board member, I am continually humbled by the immense generosity of our donors. Their unwavering support enables us to provide the many services we offer. Without the kindness, compassion, and commitment of our partners and donors, our ability to provide essential care to those in need would not be possible.”

— CHARLOTTE KIESEL, DM BOARD MEMBER

IN-KIND SUPPORT

We thank our generous partners for providing discounted services, medications, and support for many patients in need. Your support allows the Clinic to deliver lifechanging care for free.

• Every Woman Counts

• Inview Imaging

• John Muir Health

• Kareo a Tebra Company

• Operation Access

• Lions Eye Foundation of California-Nevada, Inc.

• Quest Diagnostics

• Sutter Health Alta Bates Medical Center

PARTNERS IN SERVICE

Thanks to long-standing partnerships with some of the most renowned medical institutions and universities, the Clinic is able to source and retain talented volunteers and take advantage of the latest in medical advances through consultations and patient education materials.

• Cleveland Clinic

• Mayo Clinic

• Samuel Merritt University

• Sonoma State University

• University of California, San Francisco

• University of Cincinnati

• University of San Francisco

GIVING REPORT

Donor Spotlight

KALMANOVITZ FOUNDATION

The Kalmanovitz Foundation pledged $1 million over five years to cover the costs for nursing staff, as the Clinic grows in size and services offered.

THE WILLIAM G. IRWIN CHARITY FOUNDATION

To support the Clinic’s expansion efforts, the Irwin Foundation donated $250,000 toward construction costs.

THE WAYNE AND GLADYS VALLEY FOUNDATION

The Valley Foundation donated $250,000 towards construction costs for the Clinic expansion project.

ALBERT D. SEENO JR. AND SANDRA L. SEENO

Albert and Sandy Seeno donated $100,000 to support the Clinic’s operational expenses.

HOFMANN FAMILY FOUNDATION

To support Clinic operations, the Hofmann Family Foundation donated $100,000 at the 2023 Gala.

ROBERT STEWART ORDELL AND HELEN PFEIFFER ODELL FUND

The Odell Foundation donated $50,000 to support the Clinic’s ongoing operational needs and costs.

JOHN MUIR HEALTH FOUNDATION

John Muir donated $50,000 to support the Clinic’s efforts to combat diabetes and mental health issues.

16TH ANNUAL CHAMPIONS GALA

Celebrating this Year’s Silver

Chalice Award Winners

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

Mark your calendars for the Clinic’s most anticipated event of the year - the Order of Malta Clinic annual Champions Gala. This year, our prestigious Silver Chalice Awards dinner will take place on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco.

Join us in celebrating a milestone year as we commemorate the Clinic’s 16th anniversary and pay tribute to our distinguished 2024 Silver Chalice Award recipients: Ken Olsen, KM, President of the Order of Malta Western Association, and the late Frank Heffernan, KM, early Board member of the Order of Malta Clinic.

Ken’s exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication to our mission have been instrumental in advancing the Clinic’s reach and impact throughout the years. And Frank’s deep business expertise and keen ability to solve complex issues were instrumental in establishing the systems and processes that continue to frame the Clinic's success.

We invite you to a fun-filled evening complete with cocktails, dinner, raffle, silent and live auctions featuring unique items, and the Silver Chalice Awards ceremony.

Don’t miss this opportunity to support a worthy cause and make a true difference in our communities. For details on tickets, tables, and sponsorships, please visit orderofmaltaclinic.com/gala.

VANGUARDS OF HEALING AND HOPE

Dan Field, MD, KC, KM

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE

MEDICAL DIRECTOR,

ORDER OF MALTA WESTERN ASSOCIATION USA

Order of Malta Clinic Board Member Dan Field was destined from a young age for a rewarding career in medicine, but his calling to religious service came later in life. In 2007, in the throes of a family and spiritual crisis that led Dan to accompany his devout Catholic wife Ellen, and dying father-in-law on their pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, the secular Jewish emergency room physician was called by the Blessed Virgin Mary to embark on a new path. In what would become his life’s most fateful journey, Dan subsequently converted to Catholicism and two years later embraced his new mission as the Lourdes Pilgrimage Medical Director for the Order of Malta Western Association.

Over the last 15 years, Dan has pursued a remarkable second career that allows him to practice “the best medicine I’ve ever done.” While emphasizing that his primary role is serving as the lead Lourdes decision-maker — with qualifications gleaned from his 30-plus years in Kaiser’s busy ER environment – Dan

is credited with pioneering several new processes and tools to improve the pilgrimage experience. He is also quick to point to the dedicated team of fellow medical professionals – doctors, nurses, pharmacists, even a brain surgeon and an oncologist – and the legion of Order of Malta Knights, Dames, and volunteers who make the annual pilgrimage possible. “I am both proud of our esprit de corps and the devotion our team brings to care of the pilgrims,” he says.

As part of his service, Dan also oversees the medical review portion of the selection process that decides which Malade candidates in the Order of Malta Western Region are chosen to participate. While anywhere from 130-150 seriously or terminally ill patients annually apply to make the Lourdes pilgrimage, only 50 Malades are ultimately selected each year, based on their physical condition for travel and the seriousness of their illness.

It’s been said about Lourdes, “For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, no explanation is possible.”

In a crisis of conscience early in his tenure as Lourdes Pilgrimage Medical Director, Dan struggled with the fact that he was leaving people behind. “So, I called every Western Association Malade candidate who had been rejected that year and asked them what the impact had been to them on being told they could not go,” he explains. “And every person I spoke with said the exact same thing: ‘I thought someone else needed it more.’ That response relieved me of my burden and reinforced my knowledge that Mary, not I, is in charge.”

His faith and desire to help others has continued to guide all of Dan’s personal and professional endeavors. After retiring from Kaiser in 2017, he joined a successful medical staffing company and also serves as a forensic medicine expert witness in legal cases across the country. He is an active member of the board of the Western Association USA and, at the invitation of Michael Lambert, KM, joined the Order of Malta Clinic Board of Directors in 2018. He is currently lending his support and expertise to the Clinic’s new telehealth initiative. “There are no lightweights at the Order of Malta Clinic,” he says. “I truly appreciate the talents of the entire board.”

The Place of Miracles

When Dan Field and his wife Ellen return to Lourdes this Spring, they will be embraced by a large and welcoming global community. One close colleague is the official Doctor of Lourdes, Grand Hospitaller H.E. Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis. He heads the Lourdes Medical Bureau of the Sanctuary and is the Church official responsible for noting, verifying, and investigating cases of reported miracle cures.

While more than 7,000 cases of healing have been reported at Lourdes since the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette in 1858, just 70 cases have been recognized as truly miraculous cures by the Church. The Church has a stringent process during which a pilgrim who has experienced a cure can bring their case to the Bureau for consideration, which must meet the following criteria:

1. The disease is serious, with an unfavorable prognosis.

2. The disease must be known and recorded by medicine.

3. The disease must be organic and there must be objective, biological and radiological criteria documenting the disease.

Dan Field and the pilgrimage leadership ensure the transportation, logistics, lodging, safety, and onsite medical care for up to 50 Malades* and their family members and caregivers each year, with what fellow Board member Bridget Harris, DM, terms “military precision.”

*French word meaning sick.

4. There must not have been any treatment to which the cure could be attributed.

5. Recovery must be sudden, instantaneous, immediate and without convalescence.

6. The cure must not simply be a regression of symptoms but a return of all vital functions.

7. The cure must not simply be a remission but a lasting and definitive cure.

Dan described the case of a Western Region Malade with malignant melanoma who was considered for the status of unexplained cure, a decision made in part by all of the medical professionals gathering in a convocation to hear the evidence. The case appears to meet all seven of the criteria set forth to guide decision-making, but has not progressed to further consideration.

Thomas Wallace, MD, KM, esteemed physician and long-time Clinic volunteer affectionately known as Dr. Tom by his many patients and fans, has been honored with the prestigious Star Volunteer of the Year Award by The Salvation Army of Alameda County. This accolade recognizes Dr. Tom’s unwavering commitment to serving the community and his exceptional contributions to improving the lives of those in need.

The Salvation Army, renowned for its dedication to providing vital services to thousands of adults and children annually, has long been impressed by Dr. Tom’s tireless efforts and impact at the Clinic. Driven by a shared mission to alleviate suffering and provide compassionate care, both organizations have forged meaningful collaborations within the community, making a tangible difference in the lives of many.

In recent years, Dr. Tom’s leadership and expertise have been instrumental in the success of various Clinic initiatives. From inaugurating our dental clinic and managing the Clinic as interim

DR. TOM RECEIVES STAR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Medical Director, to overseeing the graduation of nurse assistant training program cohorts, Dr. Tom’s impact has been profound and far-reaching.

The Salvation Army Star Volunteer of the Year Award serves as a testament to Dr. Tom’s exemplary service and leadership. The ceremony in March brought together hundreds of community leaders, supporters, and volunteers to celebrate Dr. Tom’s contributions and honor his remarkable achievements.

The Order of Malta Clinic extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Tom Wallace on this prestigious honor and expresses gratitude for his continued dedication to serving the Clinic and the community with compassion and excellence.

THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE OF FR. FRANCISCO DÍAZ

Fr. Francisco Javier Díaz, SJ, MD calls his service at the Order of Malta Clinic an extension of God’s merciful work and divine providence that enables him to fulfill his ordained mission to minister to the sick and the poor. Combining a passionate calling to the priesthood with expertise in primary care and family medicine, Fr. Díaz currently serves as the Clinic’s lead staff physician, seeing patients five days a week while also sharing his spiritual benevolence throughout the community at The Cathedral of Christ the Light and other East Bay parishes.

Born and raised in San Jose, Costa Rica, Fr. Díaz’s life of missionary and medical service was forged at the age of 9. “I was encouraged by my family and teachers at a very young age to hear the good news of the Lord and embrace our Catholic faith,” he says. “The openness of my parents to my calling and the encouragement of my two widowed grandmothers instilled in me a sense of commitment and appreciation of God as my savior and guide.”

Inspired by the first Jesuit missionary, St. Francis Xavier, Fr. Díaz attended medical school at the University of Costa Rica and began his holy service as a volunteer physician at a rural parish clinic in his home country. There, among his most rewarding work was helping infertile couples start families and honor their traditional Catholic beliefs. Later, as a clinical instructor at Georgetown University, his knowledge of restorative reproductive medicine would earn him the lasting nickname “Fr. Fertility.” Today, he shares this expertise with young couples he meets through the Order of Malta Clinic.

After entering the Jesuits in Oregon in 2002, Fr. Díaz went on to study philosophy at Loyola University in Chicago, completed his residency in family medicine at Texas Tech in El Paso, and missioned at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry before being ordained in 2016 after 14 years of Jesuit formation.

Fr. Díaz’s extensive training and experience in primary care medicine enables him to diagnose and provide support to the many Clinic patients suffering from chronic but treatable conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. In one recent case, the doctor’s encouragement and treatment plan for a hardworking yet unhoused and uninsured young man provided the medicine and hygienic resources necessary to bring his severe diabetes under control.

With the Clinic expansion well underway, Fr. Díaz has enthusiastically embraced the new telehealth initiative and sees tremendous opportunities for ongoing patient care. “Telemedicine allows us to see into people’s homes and lifestyles, to make a real difference by helping to build healthier and better lives for patients and their families,” he says.

“The Order of Malta Clinic allows me to integrate my service to God with my skills in medicine,” he adds. “The Clinic offers me relief and vision that goes beyond secular humanism into a true sense of religious purpose.”

ANDY MOYCE, MD

How long have you volunteered with the Clinic?

I have been involved with the Order of Malta Clinic from the beginning, nearly 20 years. Dr. Tom Schmitz, a fellow Corpus Christi parishioner, was medical director at the time and he invited me to participate. I have a lot of rewarding experiences in volunteer work, both locally and abroad, and I was happy for the opportunity to share my expertise in Oakland.

What is your role at the Clinic?

I serve as a consultant for ear, nose, and throat conditions, seeing mostly patients with minor, but occasionally major, complaints. Fortunately, most of these patients are able to be treated at the Clinic, while those with more serious issues are referred out to Operation Access or one of the Clinic’s partner hospitals.

Can you share a memorable experience or patient interaction that has left a lasting impact on you during your time volunteering at the Clinic?

There are many, but I recall one young woman who had significant hearing loss which was negatively affecting her ability to work. We were able to provide this patient with hearing aids to adapt to her needs so she could return to her job. She was incredibly grateful.

How do you see the Clinic’s impact on the community, and what role do volunteers play in fulfilling its mission?

I had anticipated a patient population from lower socioeconomic levels, but the majority of those we serve at the Clinic are employed individuals who are lacking access to health insurance. Many could be classified as the “worried well,” or what I call those who only need reassurance that their nagging pain or discomfort is not a sign of a more serious condition. After an exam and reassurance, they are able to leave the Clinic satisfied with their visit and the help they received. The obvious level of gentle care and interaction from all of the volunteers goes a long way in putting patients at ease.

As a long-time volunteer, what changes or advancements have you witnessed at the Clinic, and how have these developments influenced the quality of care provided?

I have watched the Clinic grow in both the number of patients and the scope of services we are able to provide. Partnering with laboratory and X-ray facilities has greatly enhanced the level of care. The addition of electronic medical records has also certainly improved information-sharing among various clinicians.

What motivates you to continue volunteering at the Clinic, and what advice would you give to individuals considering volunteering or supporting similar organizations in their community?

Volunteering at the Order of Malta Clinic allows practitioners like myself to recognize the value of the precious gift that we all have to give. We find that sometimes simple acts and interventions for which we have been trained take on tremendous value far beyond simple almsgiving. We in return receive personal satisfaction and often a needed boost in motivation for our chosen field. Volunteering at the Clinic is a perfect remedy for the frustrations of dealing with today’s complicated American healthcare system. I find it incredibly important and rewarding.

HELP US HELP MORE

The Clinic’s work is made possible because of the generosity of donors and volunteers like you. We appreciate all that you do for our communities and the vulnerable patients we serve.

orderofmaltaclinic.com/donate

Mail-in donations are also humbly accepted. Please make checks payable to Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California and mail to:

Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California Attn: Development 2121 Harrison Street, #120 Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 587-3000

orderofmaltaclinic.com

Tax ID: 20-5969389

The Clinic is a primary hospitaller work of the Order of Malta. The Grand Master has asked all Knights and Dames throughout the world to share in its support.

orderofmaltaclinic.com