Steve Gausewitz, M.D.
Steve Gausewitz, M.D. is a retired orthopedic surgeon and the former chief of staff of the Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine. Steve first heard about Venice Family Clinic when his daughter, Katie, was an AmeriCorps volunteer before joining our staff as a grant writer. Now their roles have switched: Katie practices medicine as an internist and Steve volunteers at the Clinic providing orthopedic care and consultations to our patients.
“I wanted to find a way to give back to the community. The people I see are often dealing with chronic pain due to an injury or condition that has gone untreated because they didn’t have the resources to get evaluated. When they come to the Clinic, we’re able to get them the help they need to feel relief and start to heal. I remember, I recently saw a gardener who was suffering from arthritis in his knee. It was affecting every aspect of his life, and he was in a great deal of pain. We were able to assess him and offer a surgical referral to help get him back on his feet. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to intervene and change the quality of someone’s life. I love working with Venice Family Clinic.”
John Mafi, M.D.
John Mafi, M.D. is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He has volunteered at Venice Family Clinic since 2014 as a permanent attending, supervising UCLA medical residents in primary internal medicine.
“My favorite part of my job is to work here at Venice Family Clinic caring for underinsured and uninsured patients. I am honored to be able to help. It is fulfilling to help make a difference with patients who work multiple jobs, trying to fit their diabetes medicine, diet and exercise into their busy schedules. It is important for residents to meet people in these circumstances and understand how difficult it can be. When friends or family who do not have insurance ask for a referral, I always send them to Venice Family Clinic because I know that they will get good care.”
Michael Margolis
Michael Margolis is a Lead Clinical Assistant and has been volunteering for two years while he completes his degree in Computational and Systems Biology at UCLA. After graduation, he will be attending the David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles.
“Venice Family Clinic has not only provided me with the foundational skills I need to succeed in a clinical setting, but also the ability to connect with a patient and build rapport. The people working at the Clinic have shown me what it means to be a humble and outstanding physician.”
Chloe Purgason
Chloe Purgason volunteered with the Clinic for three years as a Clinic Assistant before she was accepted into UC Irvine’s Master’s Entry Program in Nursing.
“I loved volunteering at Venice Family Clinic because I learned how to interact and provide care to a diverse patient population. Volunteering as a Clinic Assistant taught me that every person deserves access to quality health care, and that care providers must address a wide range of needs to help patients achieve their best health.”
