From Hospital Halls to Healing Hands: Why Dr. Eleanore Kue Left a Major Hospital to Serve the Underserved
Discover how Dr. Eleanore Kue transitioned from working in major hospitals to opening a clinic in Lansing, transforming lives in underserved communities with compassionate, holistic care.
A Physician’s Bold Transition
After graduating from residency, my career began in occupational medicine, providing me with a solid foundation in patient care. Later, I transitioned to working in hospital systems, where I thrived as part of a supportive team. “I always enjoyed working in the hospital,” I, Dr. Eleanore Kue, reflect, “and I valued the relationships I built with my coworkers and patients.”
However, during my time in the hospital, I began to witness inequities in care for underserved patients. Many were not receiving the attention they desperately needed. “It was heartbreaking to see patients falling through the cracks,” I recall. This realization inspired me to make a drastic physician career change.
Opening a Clinic to Serve the Underserved
In 2009, I opened a community clinic in Lansing to serve the marginalized. As Dr. Eleanore Kue, my mission was clear: to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients often overlooked by the system. Most of my patients were on government low-income insurance, which posed significant challenges.
“Healthcare in underserved areas isn’t just about treating diseases—it’s about rebuilding trust,” I explain. Many of my patients delayed seeking care due to mistrust in the healthcare system, often arriving with advanced conditions. In this environment, referrals to specialists were limited, requiring me and my staff to fight for every resource.
Leaving a well-resourced hospital environment to open a clinic was no easy feat. “In the hospital, everything you need is at your fingertips,” I share. “In my clinic, we had to get creative to meet basic needs.” Despite the challenges, this work has been deeply fulfilling.
At the clinic, I strived to create a space where patients felt valued and cared for. “My goal was to make every patient feel seen and heard,” I, Dr. Eleanore Kue, emphasize. It’s this commitment to holistic care that continues to drive my work today.
A Lasting Impact
Looking back, my transition from hospital to clinic was not just a career move—it was a calling. As Dr. Eleanore Kue, I am proud to have served Lansing’s underserved community and to have provided a model for compassionate, impactful care.
Connect with Dr. Eleanore Kue on her social media profiles: