News - Milwaukee STI Clinic Reopens with Limited Hours After Staffing Crisis

Amid an acute staffing crisis that led to an unexpected closure, Milwaukee's city-run STI clinic has resumed its operations. Located on the second floor of the Keenan Health Center at 3200 N. 36th St., the clinic is set to operate on restricted hours, prioritizing crucial testing and treatment services. This development comes over three months after the clinic had to shut down due to a severe shortage in staff following the abrupt exit of its director, followed closely by other key personnel. During its closure, the city's health department embarked on a concerted recruitment campaign to restore services in the essential community facility, which annually performs between 40,000 to 50,000 STI tests and served approximately 7,700 clients in 2024 alone. The clinic also distributes free condoms and other contraceptive options. Health Commissioner Mike Totoraitis explained that shuttering the clinic temporarily was a necessary move to safeguard patient and staff well-being and lay the groundwork for sustainable operations. Confident in the newly formed team, the Commissioner assured that both patients and staff would be well-supported moving forward. Before the closure, the facility was experiencing a steady decline in staffing availability, leading to reduced hours and services. Efforts were made to utilize temporary workers, but conditions worsened, causing the clinic to halt its operations in November last year. The city quickly advertised for a new supervisor and has since hired the necessary clinical staff to allow the center to reopen. With new operational strategies facilitated by collaboration with the city's Department of Employee Relations, the clinic underlines its commitment to providing necessary sexual and reproductive healthcare services. During the limited timeframe of operations, which are now from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and noon to 3:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, some clients might be redirected to other community health centers if needed. As the clinic regains its footing, it remains a vital resource in combating the spread and complications of untreated sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. This emphasizes the importance of early detection and continuous access to healthcare resources for Milwaukee residents. For more comprehensive information and assistance, reporter Sarah Volpenhein can be reached at svolpenhei@usatodayco.com or 414-607-2159.