Volunteer Psychiatrist Offers Free Services Downtown

Six months ago, Catholic Charities free health clinic recruited a psychiatrist who sees patients one day a week.

Earl Brink had been retired from the practice for eleven years. He had worked in private practice and at hospitals throughout his career.

The clinic opened in late 2007 and has seen roughly 3,500 patients, mostly for physical and dental services. They serve people who make enough so that they don't qualify for free health care but not enough that they can afford to buy plans. In the Pittsburgh area, there are roughly 70,000 people who fall into that category.