At left: Dr. Kleinert
confers with a patient.

While others are preaching about health care for our neediest citizens, Dr. Kathleen Kleinert (MSUCOM '95) is out there practicing it. She's seminal in developing a unique faith-based initiative that seeks to serve 15,000 people in southwest Detroit.

Covenant Community Care, Inc., has grown as a partnership of four area Evangelical Covenant churches, Dr. Kleinert, former teacher and new administrator Bruce Larson, and a community board.

"It's an area called 'Mexican Village,'" Dr. Kleinert notes, " and it's about 65% Latino and 25% African-American.

Even though she had wanted to go to medical school since she was 12, Dr. Kleinert was 37 before she made it to MSUCOM. But she and her husband stepped out in faith, something they've continued to do - through osteopathic medical school, residency, and her current practice, a clinic on Eight Mile Road in Livonia.

Emphasizing that care is offered without prejudice to everyone, Dr. Kleinert has always made it a part of her practice to talk about the spiritual aspects of their health issues with her patients.

"Faith is the motivating force for many of us involved," said Mr. Larson. "Faith and a love for this city - this project fits my heart."

Dr. Kleinert will be working hard, with 35 hours a week scheduled at the Covenant site and 30 hours a week at her present practice. She'll be reducing two services she presently offers - delivering babies and making housecalls.

The group has made an offer to purchase an old funeral home in the area, and has plans for major renovations, including installation of an elevator and development of a pharmacy and laboratories.

"Our family had five kids and no insurance," Dr. Kleinert confided, "and I remember how difficult it was for us in that situation. But I know the Lord, and I know that we're called to give back."