For over 40 years, the city of Leavenworth has celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day in grand fashion. Green-clad families line the streets of downtown Leavenworth in a celebration of Irish culture, culminating in the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Saint Vincent Clinic once again adorned ourselves in green and participated in this wonderful Leavenworth tradition.

Saint Vincent Clinic Manager Beth Watkins was pleased to see everyone participating in the parade, despite the chilly weather.

“It was such an awesome day […] We were (all) yelling so loud saying “Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!”. You could just feel the energy. It was just so great to be out in the community [...] and actually seeing the community that we serve in a different capacity, it really pumps you up!”

This was Beth’s first time participating in the parade as Clinic Manager. A vital part in improving the health of the communities we serve is to be a visual and vocal part of local traditions and events like this one.

“We need to reach as many people as we can who have nowhere else to go for healthcare in Leavenworth. We know that there are lots of people here that are uninsured and underinsured that don't know about our clinic. We're always asking the question: how do we become more visible to those people so that they know they have a place to come for quality healthcare?”

The day after the parade, several people came to Saint Vincent, interested in becoming new patients after seeing us at the parade. Tangible positive outcomes like this make participating in events especially rewarding for everyone at Saint Vincent and across Caritas Clinics.

I would like to personally thank all of you at Saint Vincent, and your families, who participated in the parade. Your love and passion for your community do not go unnoticed. You are what makes Saint Vincent and Caritas Clinics a success.

Michele Surber

Executive Director

Caritas Clinics