The Ruth M Rothstein Core Center

Environment: ³⁄₅
Location: ⁴⁄₅
People: ³⁄₅
Services: ⁵⁄₅
Employees: N/​A
Total: ¹⁵⁄₂₀
Synopsis: I am currently doing my rotation here and you meet some very interesting people. As a layperson, I would not be in this area for any reason. The people who typically come here are those who do not have insurance, as I was told. So many times, it is the unemployed, lower-​income. The interesting part is that right out of the area and Stroger, the people seem to MAGICALLY change into students. I would be more wary in this area, but I listen to my Ipod after getting off the train and walking. I have not felt threatened, but I would not necessarily sleep with one eye open… More like both.
Environment: It is a clinic, it is not supposed to be fabulous. But the first thing that comes to my mind is cleanliness. You have no idea where these people are coming from, if they know proper sanitation or not. I always keep a towel when I open doors or touch things. I am aware as to where all the sanitizers are in the clinic. I cannot afford to be sick!
Location: Whilst it is in the medical district. It is on the edge, but conveniently by the station. An easy 5-​minute walk on the blue line. Love it! I am sure the people who go here enjoy the close proximity as well, to the station. However, it still in the Medical District and it can be kind of creepy, not Stroger-​out-​patient-​status creepy, but still creepy. Although I say this, I still wear my Ipod listening to Japanese music. :D
People: You would not certainly come here to pick people up. You will see those people with purses like LV, Guchi, True Religion, but I am used to that. Other times, you see people that makes you go O_​O! But of course I never wear that face.
Services: I don’t know all of the services that are provided, but for our section there is a registered dietitian, nurses, case managers to assist people, doctors. If I did not have insurance and was positive for HIV and Hepatitis, I would definitely come here.
Employees: I cannot discuss this because I am actually rotating through here.

The CORE center is God-​send for the uninsured and under-​insured among us. A few things ot keep in mind though.
This isn’t a private doctor’s office. The waits are long so bring a book, ipod or some other way to entertain yourself.
Some of the clerks can be a little abrupt, but understand they are well meaning and just want to get through each person quickly and thoroughly.
Let smile be your umbrella. This is a public clinic so you’re going to see a lot of people on some of the worst days of their lives. If you can’t handle being around human suffering and despair for a couple hours, you’re going to be seriously bummed out by the time your visit is over.
Ask questions. Navigating the the river of paperwork can be rather daunting. There are people there to help you with it, but they can’t answer your questions or address your concerns if you don’t speak up.
If you’re having a fantastically crappy day, don’t be afraid to ask for a social worker. They are there even if you just need someone to sit with you while you completely lose your shit and bawl your head off.
Practice gratitude. I do not mean merely thanking people, but actually feeling it inside you. You would be surprised how much better you feel as you catalog all the things you should be grateful for instead of the suffering and injustices you feel you endure.

I was able to spend a day at the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center for my community health nursing class and I am absolutely floored by the professionalism, friendliness and candor of the entire staff here.
What many people don’t seem to know is that the center is NOT just for HIV/​AIDS patients. They provide quick and comprehensive screenings for all sexually transmitted diseases as well — chlamydia, gonorrhea, BV, hepatitis, you name it. You just walk right in, no appointments necessary. If you need to be treated for something, they give you the medications you need on the spot. If you don’t have insurance, they’ll work out something really affordable.
I can’t adequately emphasize how personable the staff is here — you will be treated with dignity and respect, and come out with some free condoms, too. :)