A Few Words From Dr. Mary Ludwig

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

My parents were born of Italian immigrants in small towns in New York State. They were married in 1925. I was born in 1926, my sister in 1929 and two other children in later years who both died in infancy. The depression had hit the area hard and they subsequently suffered a great deal for lack of jobs and the deaths of the two babies. My sister and I grew up aware of the hardships. She being three years younger did not understand them or realize why it happened. Little food, lack of medical care and no jobs available due to the depression, made me very aware of the hardships and pain that my parents underwent and those memories never left me. My parents’ deep faith in the goodness of God saw us through many difficult years together.

When the opportunity came to set up a free pediatric clinic in the Milligan Presbyterian church on Mill Street I was very excited and my husband and family were very supportive. The minister of the church, Reverend Charlotte Ho-Topp was very giving and pleased that her church would be used for this purpose. A group of eight women organized to form the Christian Nursing Service of which the free clinic was born. Volunteers were eager to help and the doors were open to the community in the fall of 1968. The community backed it, those in need used it, and volunteers kept the clinic alive and well.

A few years ago a few concerned citizens decided to raise the money to build a new clinic and make it a permanent gift to the community. The need for affordable medical care is stilt prevalent and a necessity for our most vulnerable families. In August 2013 the Dr. Mary Ludwig Montgomery County Free Clinic will open its doors and continue to serve this community. Financial support will always be needed to keep the clinic functioning. We pray that the community will continue its support of this endeavor.

Sincerely in Christ….Mary Ludwig

Please join us for the public open house at the Montgomery County Free Clinic on Sunday, July 28th from 1pm-4pm.  Come and support the clinic that Dr. Ludwig and many others have worked years to make a reality.