The Institute for Family Medicine is an organization of physicians who have, in lieu of other practice opportunities, chosen to dedicate their careers to providing medical care to the poor, disadvantaged, and medically underserved. The focus of the organization is to improve access to quality medical care by reducing barriers to health care.  One way of accomplishing this goal is by “bringing care to the people” in their community, schools, and neighborhoods.  Creative partnerships have also allowed the Institute for Family Medicine to hold down the costs of medical care, and to provide culturally sensitive services. The Institute for Family Medicine was incorporated in 1999 as a Missouri not-for-profit corporation, and granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Institute was awarded the contract for physician services to the health centers of the St. Louis County Department of Health in August of 2000. Since that time the Institute has expanded services and community partners to include nine area school districts, the St. Louis Asthma Consortium, Saint Louis University School of Nursing, St. Louis City Housing Authority, Covenant House of Missouri. St. Louis Crisis Nursery, Youth-In-Need, and Every Child’s Hope (formerly the Evangelical Children’s Home), just to name a few.