News
Our Lady of Hope Clinic News Release
August 5, 2009 — For Immediate Release
Contact Our Lady of Hope Clinic Communications: 608-445-2063
Bishop Morlino appoints Fr. Eric Nielsen to Our Lady of Hope Clinic’s board of directors
The Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, has appointed Fr. Eric Nielsen to Our Lady of Hope Clinic’s board of directors, effective immediately. Fr. Nielsen will serve as the Bishop’s representative to the clinic and will also be the clinic’s spiritual director.
“Our Lady of Hope Clinic is a concrete example of Catholic lay people bringing the Gospel into the world,” Fr. Nielsen said upon accepting his appointment. “Building a culture of life begins with respecting the dignity of human life at all stages, and this clinic is a wonderful step in that direction.”
Our Lady of Hope Clinic President Dr. Michael Kloess said he couldn’t be happier about the selection. “In Fr. Nielsen, we have just a terrific priest who will be a most valuable member of our team going forward,” Kloess said. “We are grateful that Bishop Morlino considers our mission of serving the needy and providing authentically Catholic primary care to the community worthy of such a dynamic and energetic pastor.”
Fr. Nielsen has been a diocesan priest since 1995 and has served as the pastor of St. Paul’s University Catholic Center on the University of Wisconsin campus since 2006. He also authors the syndicated column A Culture of Life.
Our Lady of Hope Clinic’s community-based board of directors now includes Fr. Nielsen, Kloess, Dr. Anne Volk Johnson, attorney David R.J. Stiennon, and Andy Fabian. The clinic began providing unlimited, personalized primary care to benefactors — people who contribute at a modest annual or monthly rate — on April 1. It began offering free care to the area’s uninsured population on June 1.
“Fr. Nielsen is coming on board at a very exciting time,” Johnson said. “Enthusiasm for the clinic is growing. These last two weeks or so, we’ve had more inquiries from prospective benefactors and donors than at any other point in our history. Our growth will fuel an even greater capacity to provide free compassionate care to those in need.”
For additional information on becoming a benefactor or otherwise supporting Our Lady of Hope Clinic, visit the newly revamped Web site at www.ourladyofhopeclinic.org and call Steve Karlen at 608-445-2063.
