Clinic plans to add more services to help poor, uninsured

MCALLEN, RGV - The directors, staff and supporters of El Milagro Clinic recently celebrated the nonprofit’s 23rd anniversary, an event where its founder, Ron Tupper, was named chairman emeritus.The clinic, located on Vermont Avenue in south McAllen, caters for the economically disadvantaged and uninsured. At the event, board chairman Roberto M. Garcia said additional services are planned."We want to expand the services Ron started years ago, to cover other areas of need for those that are uninsured or can’t pay for services,” Garcia said.Also at the event, Dr. Robert Gonzalez, El Milagro’s medical director, pointed out that the clinic fell on hard times a few years ago. However, it has fully recovered and now boasts a staff of 30 professionals and a budget of more than $1.3 million. “I have been here 17 years and in those 17 years I have seen the clinic go through a transformation. It has had its ups and downs. I do not know if any of you really know how close this clinic came to shutting down a coupe of years ago,” Gonzalez said.“Things looked bleak but, thank God, the employees persevered, the people that wanted to keep this clinic open and available to the people that need medial care (made sure it did). I would like to thank Mr. Ron Tupper, the board members, the previous board members, for all their time and effort in helping shape what this clinic is today.”El Milagro currently serves approximately 15,000 patients. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.