Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Milwaukee, 2020 Community Benefit

Continuing Our Mission Through the Bread of Healing

Since its founding over 145 years ago, Aurora Sinai Medical Center (ASMC) has existed to serve its community.  As Milwaukee’s only downtown hospital, ASMC has a strong focus in supporting greater racial equity and civil rights. This focus comes through in our workplace initiatives, clinical programs, and especially through our community partnerships.
The Bread of Healing Clinic (BOH) was founded in 2000 by an ASMC parish nurse. The clinic’s mission is to provide high-quality, basic medical care for uninsured community members who experience limited access to health care services. It has grown over the years and now provides vital health services at three community-based sites on Milwaukee’s north side, including Cross Lutheran Church, Eastbrook Church and the Agape Center. In total, these three clinic sites care for more than 4,000 community members annually, including approximately 125 bilingual patients. 
The clinic’s patients also have access to our Specialty Access for Uninsured Program (SAUP), which connects uninsured patients who receive their care within free clinics to specialty care providers within ASMC and other Milwaukee area Advocate Aurora Health locations. All services rendered through this program are free to the patient and written off as part of the Aurora Helping Hand Patient Financial Assistance program. In 2019, 343 individuals received specialty care services through the SAUP program.
ASMC supports BOH by providing essential financial support, accepting clinic vouchers from clinic patients for radiology and lab services, and supporting ASMC team members who donate time to support clinic operations or provide patient care.