by Dennis Dalman
Aslan Health Clinic, a walk-in facility for the “working poor,” officially opened Aug. 1 in St. Cloud right across from the Great River Regional Library near the downtown area.
The clinic’s address is 1400 St. Germain St. W.
Aslan Health Clinic focuses on the needs of the working poor in the central Minnesota area. It offers services to people with Medicaid, Medicare, Medical Assistance and to those who are uninsured or under-insured who can receive care on a cash-based fee schedule.
The clinic was named by its owner/operators after Aslan the Lion, who is a wise, loving, compassionate leader of the children in “The Chronicles of Narnia,” a series of books by English writer C.S. Lewis. Aslan is pronounced “Ahz-lahn.”
The clinic was founded by a married couple, Rebecca and Clay White. Rebecca is a nurse practitioner, medical director and board secretary, and Clay is the executive director and board chairman.
Clay and Rebecca White were inspired to start the clinic based on a similar one in Colorado. Rebecca for the past 11 years has been an advanced practitioner for the CentraCare Health system. Her and her husband’s faith in God was the prime factor in starting a clinic for the working poor because they believe deeply that “God’s love extends to everyone, without exception,” Rebecca said.
Many medical volunteers help out at the clinic.
Rebecca participates in the Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Response team that responds to crises worldwide, bringing food, medicine and other needs to people who are suffering.
Rebecca earned degrees in biology and nursing, including a master’s degree in nursing in family medicine from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Her husband Clay has been a sheriff’s deputy for 20 years for Sherburne County and also served 21 years in the U.S. Army National Guard. He earned a degree in accounting from Bemidji State University. Clay is committed to public safety and protection, and this new clinic is very much a part of those protection efforts.
The goal of Aslan Health Clinic is to help the working poor overcome barriers to health care – such inhibiting factors as cost of care, inflexible working hours, unreliable transportation and childcare issues.
The clinic’s mission statement is this: Aslan Health exists to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and to demonstrate His love by providing affordable, quality health care for the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the underserved of our community.”
The clinic offers extended and weekend hours for expanded access to health care.
Among the categories of care Aslan Health Clinic provides are the following: preventative care and exams, chronic care (examples are high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression/anxiety), consultative care (such as medical clearance for surgery), dental care, acute care (examples are sinus infections, minor burns, colds and coughs, bronchitis, ear and eye infections, sprains and more).
The clinic’s open hours are Tuesdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wednesdays noon-5 p.m.; Thursdays 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
The clinic’s phone number is 320-297-6800. For more detailed information, visit its website at aslanclinic.com
Rebecca White
Clay White
