Christie Thomas
He’s giving aid at the free medical clinic
Christie Thomas is humble.
He shrugs off credit for his service at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic, 2440 Towncrest Drive, where he has donated his time as a physician monthly for the past 12 years.
“I really don’t do that much,” Thomas said. “My wife volunteers more than I do.”
Originally from India, the nephrologist at University Hospitals received medical training in England and Cleveland before coming to Iowa City to work at the hospital 15 years ago.
Being part of the community, Thomas says that also means it is his duty to give something back to the community.
“This is the community we live in. There is so much need. These are people who live and work in our community,” Thomas said. “If you have the time and inclination, you should do what you can to pay back the community.”
The free medical clinic provides general out-patient health care for low-income people. It is helpful for acute needs, Thomas said, but ultimately it is not the answer.
Many of the people who come are workers who can’t afford or don’t have access to health care through their employers, he said.
“The tragedy is that it is disproportionately working people that can’t provide insurance for their families,” Thomas said.
While Thomas hesitates to accept praise, he is not shy about advocating the needs for more affordable and accessible health care in the U.S.
“It is a tragedy we live in the wealthiest country in the world and we don’t provide care for the needy,” Thomas said.
“Delayed medical care only adds to total health care cost to the country. It puts patients through unnecessary pain, and possibly premature debt due to medical bills. And, ultimately, makes the state suffer in the end. It doesn’t make sense economically.”
— Brian Morelli
