A Message from the OOHC Board on the Death of
Dr. J. R. (Dick) M. Smith
Dr. Dick Smith was a pioneer in medical care for gay men in Winnipeg. Working with others in the community, he started the Village Clinic and courageously looked after men during the HIV/AIDS crisis while the rest of the world ostracized these patients. Dr. Smith’s constant drive to improve the health of medically underserved communities led him to help develop Nine Circles Community Health Centre, the Gay Men’s Health Clinic, and finally, Our Own Health Centre (OOHC). His legacy continues with OOHC’s mandate to both provide excellent health care and deliver enhanced services to the broader 2SLGBTQ+ community. To better serve patients, OOHC became a Registered Canadian Charity in 2017 with the purposes of: providing physical, mental and sexual health care as well as counselling and therapy for free to those in need who might not otherwise be able to afford it; as well as education through outreach programs and informal workshops on sexual health, addiction, and poverty reduction. However, it is only through the generousity of charitable donations that these crucial services can continue.
Dr. Smith was an esteemed and wise member of the OOHC Board, and he has directed that donations in tribute to him go to help OOHC deliver care to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. As per Dr. Smith’s specific request, if you would like to make a donation in tribute to him, please consider donating to OOHC. One-time or recurring donations in tribute to Dr. Smith can be made using the PayPal button or CanadaHelps section on this page.
Like many of you, we will miss Dr. Smith greatly. We pledge to continue and expand the inspirational legacy he has given us. We hope that you join us along this important journey.
Sincerely,
The OOHC Board of Directors
As per Dr. Smith’s request, to make a donation to OOHC in memory of his dedication to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, please use the following PayPal button or CanadaHelps form. Messages of respect and condolence can be left alongside donations.
Donate via PayPal
Donate via Canada Helps
Examples of our Costs
Each free brief therapy course for a patient in need costs around ~$1000.
Each HIV test we provide for free to the general public at Pride and other events costs ~$16.
Each cycle of our new outpatient program to help crystal meth users reduce or eliminate use of this dangerous drug costs ~$25,000.
To keep the OOHC clinic open, with non-hurried appointments for our patients, cannot be funded only from doctors’ fees. The OOHC charity needs to subsidize our rent.