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Clinic driver gets patients to where they need to be

Calvin Woodard drives a patient home after an appointment at the To Help Everyone (T.H.E.) Clinic in South Los Angeles. Many of his riders don't have cars -- or the gas to fill them -- and prefer Woodard's door-to-door service over waiting for a bus.

Calvin Woodard drives a patient home after an appointment at the To Help Everyone (T.H.E.) Clinic in South Los Angeles. Many of his riders don’t have cars -- or the gas to fill them -- and prefer Woodard’s door-to-door service over waiting for a bus.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Calvin Woodard and his white van are a lifeline for those who are unable or unwilling to keep important medical appointments.

Dropping off a patient

Calvin Woodard gets back into his van after dropping off a patient in South Los Angeles. He knows all about his patients: who likes to cook, whose blood pressure is out of control, who is quarreling with her husband.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Picking up a patient

Calvin Woodard opens his van door for South Los Angeles resident Carmel Neal for her afternoon appointment at T.H.E. Clinic. As the clinic’s only driver, Woodard, 59, is a critical part of its operations. He is the patients’ unofficial counselor, confidant and, perhaps most important, their conscience.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Assisting a patient

Calvin Woodard helps a patient out of his van for her afternoon appointment at T.H.E. Clinic. Without Woodard, many patients simply wouldn’t show up for appointments. They are chronically ill but live in a world where going to the doctor is not always their top priority.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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