We are a TOTALLY FREE clinic for anyone facing a financial barrier preventing them from seeking medical care.
HOW THE CLINIC WAS FORMED
The idea for the free clinic came in May 2009 after a discussion Dr. Martyn had with Amanda Larson, president of The Gorman Foundation, about volunteering. Larson was about to leave for a volunteer expedition to Estonia and Latvia with Heifer International, an organization that helps feed the hungry through sustainable agricultural efforts. Martyn, an instrumental force in creating a medical clinic in Sri Lanka after the tsunami of 2004, mentioned she would be willing to volunteer at a free clinic in the Oneida area if one existed. Larson enthusiastically offered to join forces with Martyn to create one.
"I wanted to find a way in which I could ‘give back’ and volunteer my services to help the local community. The clinic is a great opportunity to bring my dream to fruition," said Martyn.
Larson and Martyn began researching the logistics of how to create a clinic for the uninsured shortly after their initial conversation. They made site visits to free health facilities within Central New York and joined the National Association of Free Health Clinics, an organization that provides guidance to free clinic startups. A few months into their quest they contacted Julie Dale, executive director of CAP, and asked if CAP would consider partnering in this effort.
Larson, who had known about CAP through her work at The Gorman Foundation, thought CAP was the ideal organization to administer the free clinic on a day-to-day basis. "I wanted CAP to be the clinic administrator from day one," Larson said. "They work with the exact demographic we wanted to serve and they do a fantastic job at it because they treat people in need with dignity and class." The clinic’s objective is to serve the 7,000 uninsured, Medicaid-ineligible adults living within Madison County who might otherwise avoid routine medical care due to financial barriers.
"Our hope is that we will not only help to provide a medical home for individuals with no insurance, but also that we will relieve some of the burden placed on Oneida Healthcare Center’s emergency room from uninsured individuals with no place else to go for basic medical care, until now," said Dale.
ABOUT OUR DOCTORS
Dr. Rathika Martyn is a graduate of North Colombo Private Medical College in her native Sri Lanka and has been practicing medicine for over 22 years. She is a Board certified, in both Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, and has practiced with Oneida Medical Associates for the past 13 years. Dr. Martyn has a passion for volunteerism and in 2004 helped to establish a free medical clinic to treat the tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Marcia Newsom is a graduate of The University of Mississippi School of Medicine. She is a Board Certified Family Practice Doctor who has treated the families in Oneida and the surrounding communities for over 30 years.
Dr. Jennifer Cesana is a graduate of The New York Medical College in Valhalla New York where she received the Cor Et Manes Community Service Award. After completing over ten years of practice with the British National Health System, Dr. Cesana has returned to Central New York and is currently practicing at Ridge Mill Medical Center in Rome, New York.
Dr. Robert Pickels is a graduate of Princeton University and Albany Medical college . He earned his MD degree from the University of Virginia and did his residency in Boston and Albany. Dr. Pickels is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has served as the Chief of staff at Oneida Healthcare Hospital and was president of the Madison County Medical Society. For ten years he was a senior surgeon at Oneida Surgical Group. Dr. Pickels has also worked in the New York State Prison System and with the U.S. Public Health Service on Navaho reservations in Arizona.
ABOUT THE GORMAN FOUNDATION
Established with a generous bequest in 2003, The Gorman Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for present and future generations and serves as the living legacy of Owen T. Gorman, Catherine Cummings Gorman and Alice M. Gorman.
The Gorman Foundation has awarded 9 million dollars in grants to over 75 nonprofit organizations since its inception. Now in their 9th year as one of the largest family foundations in Central New York, The Gorman Foundation is focused on the following priority areas: "Faith In Action/Social Welfare," "The Environment," and "Community Education & Enhancement."
Members of the Board of Trustees include: Chairwoman Joanne Larson (Alice Gorman’s niece), Amanda Larson, Dr. Jim Sullivan, Sr., and Aric Larson.
To learn more, please visit us at: www.gormanfoundation.org.
ABOUT CAP:
Founded in 1983, Community Action Partnership (CAP) works with low and moderate-income families in Madison County to provide education, guidance, and resources for individuals and families striving for economic self sufficiency. CAP is the only not-for-profit, non-governmental agency in Madison County with a mission to serve the low-income community and is guided in its mission by a 12-15 member Board of Directors. Historically, we serve one out of every 16 Madison County residents. Programs are funded through a variety of federal, state, and local government funds, as well as foundation and private donations. The agency employs over 60 staff in 4 offices in Morrisville, Canastota, and Oneida NY.
The Mary Rose Clinic, Oneida Free Medical Health for the Uninsured, exists to provide primary healthcare services to low-income, uninsured adults within Madison County and the surrounding areas. We believe high quality healthcare is a basic human right regardless of socioeconomic status.
"Mary Rose Clinic is a free clinic for the uninsured and underinsured. Any person, over the age of 17-years-old, who has a financial barrier preventing them from seeking quality healthcare is welcome!"Reviews, get directions and information Mary Rose Clinic.
