History
Origins and Founding (2016)
The Luke Clinic was founded in 2016 by a dedicated team led by a Lutheran Pastor who was also a pharmacist, his wife who was a labor and delivery nurse, a family medicine doctor from the University of Michigan, and a business professional. They recognized a critical gap in accessible prenatal care for underserved communities in Detroit, despite the city's robust healthcare infrastructure. The clinic was born out of a desire to build trusting, caring relationships between patients and providers, ensuring that all women could receive the prenatal care they needed.
Early Years and Growth
Initially, The Luke Clinic was a volunteer-run organization operating out of a two-room clinic within the Family of God Mission Church in southwest Detroit. The clinic was set up as a minimum viable prototype and was the first and only provider of truly free prenatal care in the city. Over time, the clinic became a destination for expectant mothers who had no other source of care.
Within two years, recognizing the ongoing needs of their patients, the clinic expanded its services to include twelve months of infant care, alongside wraparound services addressing social determinants of health. Partnerships with organizations like the Detroit Medical Center, Access Community Health, and the Detroit Department of Health became instrumental in meeting these needs.
Expansion & Recognition
The University of Michigan’s Department of Family Medicine took notice of the clinic's success in reaching a previously underserved population. As a result, they committed to funding medical providers at The Luke Clinic. By 2020, the clinic had grown to the point where a dedicated business office was opened in Whitmore Lake.
In 2021, the Lutheran Church requested The Luke Clinic to open a second location in Flint, Michigan. This expansion was supported by a $250,000 investment, and the new clinic was established in partnership with the Franklin Avenue Mission Church on Flint's East Side. The Flint clinic was purpose-built, unlike the portable setup in Detroit, and quickly became a vital resource for the community.
Ongoing Impact
Today, The Luke Clinic is a well-regarded institution serving families throughout the Detroit and Flint metro areas. With significant support from the University of Michigan, which now funds four providers at each clinic, The Luke Clinic has become known for its relationship-based approach to healthcare. The clinic’s reputation continues to grow as it addresses systemic barriers to care through culturally appropriate education and comprehensive medical services.