Community Renewal Good Stories - Detroit

Information by State  Print version

Clinica Doctora Elena Mixes Medicine With Love in Detroit EZ

Detroit, Michigan, EZ

When Elena Perry-Thornton came to the United States from Panama in 1981, she dreamed of providing affordable quality healthcare to people in need. Today, Perry-Thornton operates Clinica Doctora Elena at 725 Junction Street in the heart of the Detroit, Michigan, EZ. Roughly 90 percent of her patients are Hispanic and many speak only Spanish. "I got into the medical field so that I could help people. That's what drives me," said Perry-Thornton, who is affectionately called Dr. Elena by the 1,800 families that visit her clinic.

Perry-Thornton's vision, determination, and personal savings carried her far. But $88,000 and valuable business counseling from two EZ programs-One-Stop Capital Shop and Detroit Community Loan Fund, run through Shorebank-were instrumental in helping her realize her dream. The result has been the transformation of a homely storefront, ravaged by years of vandalism and neglect, into an attractive, state-of-the-art medical facility.

Shortly after opening, Perry-Thornton and her staff began identifying ways in which the clinic could better serve the community. They started several education and support groups for diabetics, pregnant women, and people with weight problems. They adjusted clinic hours to accommodate patients in the evenings. The clinic is open from 5 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

"There is a real big need for accessibility and for doctors who speak Spanish in this community," says clinic office manager Carolina Bernal-Gutierrez. "People can come after work, they can take their children without having to keep them out of school, and we're in the neighborhood, so there is no transportation problem."

As a result of her work, then-Michigan Governor John Engler awarded Perry- Thornton the 2001 Governor's Award of Excellence for improving preventive care in the ambulatory care setting. "While Dr. Elena put up a lot of her own money to rebuild the clinic facility and get the place off the ground, she needed nontraditional funding for supplies, equipment, and other essentials," says Van Adams, EZ Development Corporation program manager. "We were more than glad to help since no one else is doing this kind of work in this neighborhood. We are delighted that the team we put together made this venture work," he adds.

For more information on the programs of the Detroit EZ, contact Executive Director Larry Givens at (313) 872-8050.