In 1973, the late Bill Graham asked the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic to staff a
"medical emergency care tent" at Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin outdoor
concerts. Many of the clinicians who participated had previously provided
their medical expertise at rock concerts, but the level of planning for
these events was unprecedented.
Since then, Rock Medicine has evolved into a full program of the
Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, and has provided service at an increasing
number of concerts, community marches, celebrations and fairs, circuses,
and assorted other events. In recent years, its 400+ active volunteers have
provided care at nearly 200 events in a single year. Since 1987 , our
patient load has almost doubled as more concertgoers, promoters and
venues have become aware of our services.
Rock Medicine is a mobile facility. Its work areas range from dusty
fields with nylon parachutes slung overhead to three rooms with three
sinks, a bathroom!, and built in storage space. A comprehensive assortment
of supplies, medications and equipment travels with Rock Medicine
wherever it's sent in "road boxes" modeled on those the bands use to
transport their equipment.
All sorts of people volunteer with
Rock Medicine. In addition to doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics,
psychologists and other medically licensed and/or trained staff,
we have carpenters, architects, editors, accountants,
computer programmers, lawyers, and auto mechanics.
Anyone who is willing to help and learn can find a place in
Rock Medicine. All volunteers are CPR-certified.
We embrace a philosophy which asserts that health care is a right,
not a privilege, free at the point of delivery for all who need it.
All of our services, from soothing a sunburn to stabilizing a
heart attack, are free.
