Crescent Clinic offers free medical care for people in need

From those who've been blessed, much is granted in return.

That appears to be the standard at The Red Crescent Clinic of Tampa Bay, 7358 E. Sligh Ave., where the physicians and staff are volunteers.

Named after an international symbol that stands for emergency assistance, the nonprofit center provides medical services to everyone who enters regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion or ability to pay. The only request is that patients who are able to donate give $5 per visit.

"It is my way of giving back to the community for everything that I have been given by the grace of God," said cardiologist Maqsood Siddique, the clinic's director, who also heads up the cardiac noninvasive lab at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and is an assistant professor of medicine at the University of South Florida's College of Medicine.

Not only is Siddique on call daily, but he also devotes the better part of every Saturday to caring for those in need at the center and handling paperwork.

Since its opening in 2000 as a separate entity on the campus of the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay, the clinic has served more than 10,000 patients.

"The opening of the clinic was prompted by a need to care for patients who fall between the cracks — they can't afford insurance and they don't qualify for assistance," said Siddique, a native of India.

But Siddique emphasized he is just one person among a team of volunteers who help the clinic function.

Hematologist Hussein Saba, director of oncology/hematology education programs and head of the malignant hematology clinical research program at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer & Research Center, also contributes his time and expertise.

Hatem Soliman, also an oncologist and hematologist at Moffitt, is in charge of clinic communications and registered nurse Cathy Santos donates eight to 10 hours a day Tuesday through Saturday to the center.

"As a Christian I think it's important to pay back the people who've helped me and to share the blessings that I have," said Santos, a Philippines native.

Services provided include routine physical exams, general pediatric care, cardiology, orthopedics, gynecology, and hematology/oncology and gastroenterology, among others.

Most tests and other treatments outside the clinic are provided at no or little cost to patients. In addition, they have access to many free medications donated to the clinic by drug companies.

Sheila Riley, who is employed but cannot afford health insurance found out about the center from a co-worker.

"It's all good here," she said. "The people are pleasant; they're very helpful and also very professional."

Palestine-born Mohammed Sultan, who earned a doctorate in education from the University of Southern Mississippi, pays his blessings forward by offering spiritual guidance to clinic patients. He spends many hours each week at the center.

"Having this facility puts less of a burden on the emergency rooms at hospitals and it also is a good training ground for USF medical students who come here to help," Sultan said.

"It's also good because God wants us to help others," he said. "Receiving medical attention when needed is crucial. It's not a luxury."

Clinic hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

For information, visit www.redcrescenttampa.org. To schedule an appointment, call (813) 246-5009.