Treatment, no tricks

Suzie Harrison

Some people might take for granted the old building at 362 Third St.

-- its unassuming presence, marked with age and old plumbing.

However, the 17,000 people that go through its doors every year have

come to rely on the Laguna Beach Community Clinic since it opened in

1970.

Founded as a free clinic, it was licensed as a nonprofit community

clinic in 1985 and relies partly on fundraising to sustain itself.

Its annual fundraiser facilitates expanding services and an expanding

number of clients in need. This year’s annual fundraiser, “Legends

and Icons,” will be Sept. 18 at the Marconi Automotive Museum in

Tustin.

“It’s the seventh annual fundraiser and the second one titled

‘Legends and Icons,’ it’s once a year and it’s such a fun event,”

said Friends of the Laguna Beach Community Clinic founder and

President Carolyn Bent.

Last year, the benefit netted $110,000 with about 340 people in

attendance. Event chair Debbie Mulligan said one of the bonuses of

the event is that it gives the clinic exposure.

“People get to see some of the doctors and faces [from the

clinic], and every time it gives exposure,” Mulligan said.

It’s also an opportunity to thank people who support the facility.

Each year, the clinic chooses honorees and outstanding community

members to recognize for their service within the clinic. This year’s

honorees are Dr. Gwyn Parry, Hoag Hospital, and Dr. Korey Jorgensen

and Dr. Chau Ngo from the community clinic.

Parry is involved with community medicine at Hoag Hospital and

the Hoag Foundation.

“He supported us when we redid our waiting area and assisted with

funding the children’s play kiosk two years ago,” Executive Director

Ericka Waidley said. “More recently, he was able to get us funding

for a scholarship fund for children’s dental care for those families

who can’t afford to pay.”

Six months ago, Parry helped out in a crisis when the clinic’s

ultrasound machine for the obstetrics program broke down. He was

immediately able to get it repaired.

“These are only a few examples where Dr. Parry has provided

assistance to support the clinic,” Waidley said.

Jorgensen, who was named April 2 as California’s Family Physician

of the Year at the 56th annual California Academy of Family

Physicians, will receive a special presentation by Dr. Dana Ware,

president of California Academy of Family Physicians.

The reasons he will receive this award could go on for as long as

he has served the community. Not only do his patients and the staff

adore him, he is well known throughout the community for his kindness

and dedication.

Jorgensen has been associated with the clinic since 1971 and

served as medical director from 1999 to 2002. He is director emeritus

and director of the HIV Early Intervention Program, which he designed

in 1992.

Ngo is being recognized for developing and implementing a

state-of-the-art diabetic program.

“Dr. Ngo is a good example,” Waidley said. “The tremendous amount

of time [he gives is] above and beyond. He’s kept up with national

standards and has established patient care outcomes that we can

measure.”

Ngo was modest, even blushing, when he spoke about being honored

this year.

“I think it’s too much, I’m only one of the many team members ...

because if you look at it, it takes a community to take care of the

patients,” Ngo said.

The clinic is working with the city to build a new clinic as part

of the Third Street Project.

“We see over 17,000 patients, and now with the additional dental

services that adds another 2,000,” Waidley said. “Ninety-eight

percent of our patients are working, which a lot of our people don’t

realize.”

Waidley said that part of the problem is that their clients’

workplace either does not offer health insurance, or they can’t

afford the insurance they offer.

“The clinic funding comes from state and county reimbursement

programs, grants, donations and revenue that we get from patients who

are able to pay based on our sliding scale,” Waidley said. “Many of

our patients do partially pay -- the community doesn’t understand

that they do try to pay for some of the care based on income and

eligibility to programs.”

This year the clinic added the capability to link to a secure site

to make a donation online at https://www.lbclinic.org.

“Legends and Icons” will start with complimentary margaritas and

martinis from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and attendees are invited to bid on

silent auction items including luxury vacation packages and

autographed sports memorabilia.

Dinner, catered by Laguna resident Mark dePalma, Mark’s Catering,

will be from 7 to 9 p.m. along with the live auction and honoree

program. Auction items include an original painting by Laguna artist

Tom Swimm and a one-year lease on a BMW X-3 courtesy of Crevier BMW.

Dessert and dancing will conclude the evening from 9 to 11 p.m.

with jazz music by the Hi-Fi Quintet.

Tickets are $145 per person and are available by calling the

clinic at (949) 494-0761 ext. 125. The Marconi Automotive Museum,

1302 Industrial Drive in Tustin, has a $30-million collection of

historic, exotic, classic cars and motorcycles.