Street Medical Foundation still impacting Vicksburg 60 years later

Published 7:36 pm Tuesday, May 8, 2018

: Robert Quimby and Dr. Bob Ford pose for a photo inside the Street Medical Foundation Clinic Tuesday. The Street Medical Foundation has been impacting Vicksburg for the last 60 years. (Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

Almost 60 years ago, Dr. Augustus Street set up a foundation to make a difference in his community. Its focus has evolved through the years, but the Street Medical Foundation is still impacting those who live in Vicksburg.

“This year we gave to the Good Shepherd Community Center, First Baptist Medical and Dental Clinic, Center for Pregnancy Choices, Key Stone Ministries, and we also provided some therapy for some kids in the Warren County Youth Court,” secretary and treasurer of the Street Medical Foundation Robert Quimby said.

Dr. Street had been the founder of the Street Clinic and, Quimby said, he had originally set up the foundation so funds could provide further education for doctors and to buy medical equipment. However, after the Sisters of Mercy began running the facility as a non-for-profit entity, the foundation continued on, but outside the auspices of the clinic.

And it began focusing the funds towards service-based organizations in Vicksburg.

In just the past 10 years, Quimby said, close to $100,000 has aided these organizations.

The Street Medical Foundation also set up a nursing scholarship program at Hind Community College.

“We gave a large amount to Hinds CC about 20 years ago, and they use the interest earned to fund the Street Foundation Nursing Scholarship,” Quimby said, adding, “So those scholarships will continue.”

Two or three students are awarded the scholarship each year.

The foundation is comprised of a 15-member board. Charles Riles serves as president and Pat Cashman as the vice president.

The board generally meets once a year, Quimby said, and the funds distributed come from stocks and investments that Street made years ago.

Quimby said he became involved with the Street Medical Foundation after working as the administrator of the Street Clinic.

Like the Hinds CC scholarship, money that is distributed by the Street Medical Foundation is typically used from interest earned.

But there have been times, Quimby said, when more money is distributed than the investments earn since the group does not actively ask for contributions.

“We have never really done any solicitation for donations, but when the Street Clinic existed, the doctors and some of their friends made donations to the foundation,” he said.

Dr. Bob Ford who heads up the Key Stone Ministries said the funds offered from Street Medical Foundation are greatly appreciated.

“I use the money to buy medicine for people. That is where we primarily use the funds because there are many who do not have the money to pay for medication. And this means a lot to these men,” Ford said.

For those interested in contributing to the foundation, Quimby said donations could be mailed to the Street Medical Foundation, P.O. Box 8033, Vicksburg, MS, 39181 or by calling 601-638-4351.

“We will respond to all donations and if it is memory of someone we can send a card to the family,” Quimby said.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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