Celebrating National Physicians’ Day at CUPS
Every day, physicians work around the clock to care for patients and build a stronger community. With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, CUPS doctors have gone above and beyond, working tirelessly on the front-lines to help support our most vulnerable Calgarians. As we celebrate National Physicians' Day on May 1, we want to recognize their incredible commitment to improving the health of Calgarians living with the effects of poverty and trauma, despite the risks they face dealing with COVID every day.
Maintaining Primary Health Services
Among many functions, CUPS Health Services offers Primary Health Care to low-income individuals and families. The clinic offers free health care and mental wellness services, such as:
Check-ups
Screening
Treatment
Prescriptions
Referrals to specialists and other support services
Immunizations to protect you from influenza, pneumococcal, Hepatitis B and tetanus
EKG’s
Typically, the Clinic sees appointments and walk-in patients. During COVID-19, the Health Clinic was operating on modified hours to accept patients in-person with urgent needs only; a critical step in continuing to help our most vulnerable citizens. And even though, from May 1, the clinic will be closed, the medical team will be providing care remotely as much as possible as well.
Adjusting to COVID-19
Since then, CUPS physicians have stepped up to take care of the surges of people with COVID-19 within our vulnerable population. They show up everyday and continue to provide essential services that support our clients by meeting their urgent health needs and engaging with families and individuals to provide emotional support and referrals, as needed. On top of this, our physicians are assisting at various shelters in the city as well, significantly ramping up outreach support to our community partners.
Their care and compassion continue to amaze us. In this changing environment, they are developing new and creative ways to connect with the people who need our services, while actively helping individuals and families. They are unrelenting and driven to truly help, despite the risks to their personal health.
Show your support
Everyday, we are inspired by them and we are proud to call them colleagues. And we want them to know that we are here for them, too.
What can you do to support physicians during National Physicians’ Day, and beyond?
Show your appreciation. This could take many forms. From a handwritten note to a simple thank you. A small gesture of gratitude goes a long way.
Donate PPE. If you have masks or other personal protective equipment, consider donating them to help support the fight against COVID-19.
Stay home. Physicians all want to do our best for everyone, so remember their saying: “We go to work for you. Please stay home for us.”
Remember all of this when it’s over. After the pandemic has subsided, please remember that physicians were there. Despite personal anxiety and concerns for the safety of our families, they continued to show up to take care of you.
This year’s National Physicians’ Day might be the most important one yet to celebrate physicians, the sacrifices they make and their contributions not only to the fight against COVID, but in helping all members of our community.
CUPS and our physicians are here to help our most vulnerable individuals and families in Calgary and you can be too. Consider donating to the CUPS COVID-19 Urgent Needs Fund today.
Interested in getting involved at CUPS? Click here.