St. Mary’s Health Clinics FAQs

St. Mary’s Health Clinics provide necessary and accessible health services to the under served living in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. With clinics operating three days a week throughout the Metro area nurses, physicians and volunteers work to meet the needs of vulnerable patients. 

People frequently ask about the services offered by St. Mary’s Health Clinics and what type of patients are served. Here are a few details to clarify some of your questions:

Q. Where are St. Mary’s Clinics located?
A. St. Mary’s has seven clinic locations throughout the Twin Cities, operating Tuesday through Thursday in donated space from churches, schools and other clinics.

Q. What is the primary age group served?
A. St. Mary’s serves primarily an adult population, ages 18-65. The majority of patients are women (66%) and the average age of patients is 48.

Q. Who provides care to St. Mary’s patients?
A. Care is provided in the clinic setting by volunteer physicians or nurse practitioners, along with volunteer clinic registered nurses. A volunteer physician medical director oversees the medical care provided. Nursing Supervisors are employed registered nurses who provide care coordination and oversee the management of clinic sites and an assigned group of patients. Also serving the patients are volunteer interpreters, drivers and admitting clerks.

Q. What if a patient needs to see a specialist?
A. St. Mary’s has longstanding and strong relationships with many local specialists and with the major health systems in the Twin Cities who generously care for patients with more complex health care needs.

Q. Can you provide a snapshot of the current population served?
A. Presently the population is 98% Hispanic/Latino, with over 80% speaking Spanish as their primary language. There are nearly 1,600 persons served annually and common diagnoses include pre-diabetes, diabetes, hypertension, anxiety and depression. Many patients receive their primary care through St. Mary’s so it’s common to complete annual physicals and preventive screens. Outreach services include health screens, education, flu vaccine screenings, mammograms and Zumba dancing.

Q. How is St. Mary’s funded?
A. St. Mary’s operates with support from private donations and many grants. The Ministries Foundation is a strong partner and advocate for St. Mary’s helping with fundraising initiatives and grant writing.

Q. Can I help?
A. St. Mary’s has a solid volunteer base of physicians, nurses and support personnel and welcomes new volunteers. Financial contributions are most welcome and help provide care to our neighbors and community members who are less fortunate than many, a vulnerable and marginalized group.