Dr. Nadine Burke treats a patient at the Bayview Child Health Center, which is funded by United Way
Peter is an aspiring football player who lives in the Bayview Hunter’s Point neighborhood of San Francisco. The energetic eight year old loves playing football and chess, and performing dance routines with his cousins.
However, this young athlete faced a formidable opponent off the field: asthma. Sadly, Peter is not alone: 17 percent of children living in Bayview have asthma, a higher rate than any other part of the city, and twice the national average. But before 2007, there was just one pediatrician in the neighborhood to help kids like Peter.
Following several episodes of coughing, shortness of breath and the inability to keep up in gym class, Peter’s mother took him to the Bayview Child Health Center, which opened in 2007 with financial support from United Way. Dr. Nadine Burke diagnosed Peter’s asthma and carefully explained his treatment regimen, including the importance of his medications, the use of his inhaler, and tips for recognizing the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack.
Today, Peter’s health has greatly improved thanks to the care that he received at the Bayview Child Heath Center. “I have signed up for football again this year,” says Peter, who is now sleeping better, and is once again roller skating, dancing with his friends, and playing football. “It is because Dr. Burke took her time to show me how to look after myself that I am doing better.”
Since the clinic’s opening, demand for its services has steadily increased and there is a great need for extended patient care hours as well as additional medical staff. United Way, which supported the Center during the pre-launch planning stage, continues to fund its essential work.
