Tulanians assist Brass Bash for free clinic

The Panorama Brass Band will get a crowd moving. The brass band is one of three that will perform at the annual Brass Bash on Friday (March 13) that will benefit Luke"s House Clinic. (Photo from the Panorama Brass Band)

Volunteers make it possible for Luke"s House Clinic to provide essential medical and mental health services to uninsured and underinsured patients from across New Orleans. And the mix of volunteers behind Luke"s House includes Tulane University alumni who are spearheading the Brass Bash on Friday (March 13), a fundraiser that helps ensure the clinic"s services remain free.

Serving on the Fourth Annual Brass Bash committee are law school alumni Sara Lewis and Jessica Serrano, along with public health alumni Erica Washington, Christine Scott-Waldron and Lyndsey Kirchner, and Newcomb College alumna Alexis Ruffino. They are orchestrating refreshments, a silent auction and performances by three New Orleans brass bands.

Lewis, an associate attorney at Wall Bullington & Cook, also supports the center in other ways: serving as vice chair of the Luke"s House board; lending legal expertise to reviewing contracts and amending the organization"s governing documents; and translating for Spanish-speaking patients.

“Luke"s House is a remarkable place,” Lewis said. “There is a greater need than ever in this state for the work that Luke"s House does.”

She said an increasing number of patients have come to the clinic because they can"t afford to buy health insurance but also don"t qualify for Medicaid benefits.

The Tulane University School of Medicine is a key clinic partner, with medical students working there each week to provide vital services to patients and get clinical experience.

Lewis said the Brass Bash fundraiser, which is held at One Eyed Jacks, has flourished “into something really unique that could only happen in a city like New Orleans.”

Serrano, who is general counsel and operations manager for Jacques-Imo"s and Crabby Jack"s restaurants, said the event is “always a great night of spectacular food, libations and music with friends coming to support the cause.”

The 2014 Bash raised more than $11,000 for Luke"s House.

Ali Mansfield is communications and marketing coordinator at Tulane Law School.