They have proven that if enough people volunteer their services, a community can make a substantial difference in the lives of its children. The problem with health care services in Pasadena is not one of availability, but of affordability and accessibility. The greatest obstacle to good health is poverty. In one school, the figure is 75 percent. These statistics paint a disturbing picture of a polarized city where nearly half the children lack access to many of the basic resources that are readily available to the other half.
Care is taken to rotate referrals among all the volunteer doctors.
Specially designed forms help up keep accurate track of referrals, diagnosis and recommendations, follow-up needs, and parent satisfaction. These also support the important ongoing evaluation of our work. One hundred fifty-five local volunteer pediatricians, physical therapists, optometrists, podiatrists and other specialists are available on a rotating basis to provide medical treatment to students in their offices. Some physicians have adopted children as their clients and created a long term medical home for them. Surgical and other outpatient services are also available.