Children’s Wisconsin, What is Your Mission?
Written by Health Ambassador Troney Small Jr.
On October 8, 2023, Children’s of Wisconsin released the unexpected news that they will be closing their Next-Door Pediatric Clinic on December 8, 2023. The announcement has sparked concern within the community. According to some families, community leaders, and employees of Children’s Wisconsin, this decision was made without input from both employees and the families served by the clinic. Furthermore, it poses a significant problem for several reasons. The Next-Door Pediatric Clinic has served over 2400 black and brown families in the Metcalf Community for over a decade. Closing this health clinic in a community where access to healthcare is already scarce means leaving a vulnerable population even more exposed. The Next-Door Pediatric Clinic provides families with a broad range of services, extending beyond typical clinical support to include food and diaper pantries. For children attending the Next-Door Foundation early childhood program, immediate care is available when they fall ill while at school. The clinic allows the child to be seen by a nurse, enabling parents to stay at work or alleviate the stress of taking time off work to get their child to the doctor. The staff at the Next-Door Pediatric Clinic recognized the unique needs of their community and found innovative ways to facilitate access to support and healthcare services.
When Children’s released the news about the closure, the community expressed immediate concerns and requested that Children’s reconsider their decision. Pediatric Resident Kenya Donovan, from the Next-Door Pediatric Clinic, captured the sentiment perfectly when she shared her experience, stating, “Our clinic serves 2,400 families every year, providing essential pediatric care that they might not otherwise have access to. The closure will void access to preventative care, social services, and addressing social determinants of health. This gap will overwhelm nearby clinics and the Emergency Department. We've become a trusted resource within the community; a place where parents know they can bring their children for quality care without fear or judgment. The closure of Next-Door Pediatrics Clinic is more than just shutting down a building - it's taking away a lifeline from those who need it most. We cannot stand by while this injustice occurs under our watch.” In response, Donovan took a stance against Children’s decision, initiating an online petition to ensure the community's voice is heard. If you are moved to support and want to sign the petition, you can do so by visiting this website. Petition · Sudden closure of Next Door Pediatrics Clinic in Milwaukee · Change.org
Since October 8th, there have been three rallies, a weekly meeting with parents and community leaders, a meeting with the CEO of Children’s of Wisconsin on November 19th, and multiple letters sent to Children’s Wisconsin with community endorsers, yet the decision remains the same. The misalignment between Children’s mission statement and its actions cannot go unnoticed and is deeply concerning. As a father with multiple kids from 5 years to 20 years old, I have spent a great deal of time in a pediatric clinic with my children’s primary doctor. Trusting providers is crucial, having trust keeps me and my family coming back for our appointments, opening up about my concerns for my child’s health conditions, and removing the stigma attached to Black bodies seeking medical care.
I believe Children’s Next-Door Pediatric Clinic staff built trust in the community, but closing the clinic means thousands of children in the Metcalf Neighborhood won’t have access to care. Families will feel the impact of Children’s Wisconsin's decision for years, and the trust will be broken.