The University of Minnesota Physicians (M Physicians) Broadway Family Medicine Clinic has been serving the North Minneapolis community for more than 40 years. The clinic, in the heart of North Minneapolis’ West Broadway neighborhood, both provides care to its community and trains the next generation of Minnesota’s doctors with its University of Minnesota Family Medicine residency training program.
Tomika Angus, a clinical service assistant for Broadway Family Medicine Clinic, believes in the clinic’s support for its community. In addition to providing family medicine, pediatric medicine and school and sports physicals, Angus says the clinic is dedicated to community service beyond the exam room.
"At Broadway Family Clinic, we have cooking classes for people who have heart problems. And in the summertime, we distribute vegetables to people in the community from our own garden," Angus explains.
The clinic also provides care for patients off the clock with its suboxone program, helping patients mitigate harmful outcomes from opioid drug use, no matter what time of day. Outside of the clinic’s front door, there’s a stand with free Narcan for community members to access, which can reverse deadly effects of opioid drug use if administered early enough.
Angus recalls one community member’s gratitude for the service. “One day we had a lady come out from the street and come into the clinic to let us know that over the weekend, because we're not open on the weekends, that the Narcan was able to save her son's life,” Angus says.
Growing community and the next generation of doctors
Angus believes that Broadway Family Medicine Clinic’s residency training program helps them provide the best care for patients. Residency is an important step in a doctor’s training that comes after they graduate medical school, and it prepares them to practice medicine for the rest of their careers. Residents are doctors who work with attending physicians to care for patients together.
“It makes Broadway stand out because the residents, they're here to learn and they're growing. We are all growing together in learning,” Angus explains. “This is my first time ever working in a clinic where we're teaching doctors to be better, to go out there and do great things. So I feel like that's what makes Broadway stand out, especially in the community that it is in.”
The physicians, residents, nurses and staff at Broadway Family Medicine Clinic are proud of the many ways they serve their neighbors. According to Angus, patients are proud of Broadway Family Medicine Clinic, too.
“There's a lot of time patients would let us know that they love coming here and they feel safe. They like the fact that they get what they come in for and receive the care that they came in for.”