I am a Pediatric Resident at the Next Door Pediatrics Clinic in Milwaukee, WI. Every week, I see firsthand how our services are vital to the health and well-being of countless families in our community. Next Door Clinic is located on 29th & Clarke serving black, brown, and immigrant families that are Karen, Swahili, Bengali speaking. The closure of this clinic is not just an administrative decision; it's an act that will severely limit healthcare access for these marginalized communities.

In Milwaukee, racial disparities in healthcare are already stark. Black children are twice as likely as their white counterparts to be hospitalized for asthma (Wisconsin Department of Health Services). Closing our clinic will lead to  increased rates of lead poisoning, hospitalizations, mental instability and developmental delay. 

Our clinic serves 2,400 of families every year, providing essential pediatric care that they might not otherwise have access to. Next Door Clinic provides preventative care, social services, and addresses social determinants of health; closing will void access to these services.  This gap will overwhelm nearby clinics and the Emergency Department. We've become a trusted resource within the community; a place where parents know they can bring their children for quality care without fear or judgment.

The closure of Next Door Pediatrics Clinic is more than just shutting down a building - it's taking away a lifeline from those who need it most. We cannot stand by while this injustice occurs under our watch.

We urge you to join us in acknowledging the detriment of this decision from Children's Medical Group and advocate for all the children negatively impacted. Please sign this petition today and help us fight against healthcare inequality in Milwaukee.