Dr. John M. Joseph is board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology and has been practicing in Carrollton, Texas for the last 38 years. For the past 20 years, he has also served as the volunteer medical director of the non-profit, Primary Care Clinic of Texas. He graduated from St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, India in 1976 and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. In 1981 he came to UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas for a fellowship in Rheumatology. Dr. Joseph is very personable and empathetic toward his patients and emphasizes care for the whole person. He has been a mentor for many aspiring doctors, medical students, and foreign medical graduates. He and his wife Sheela have 5 children and 4 grandchildren.

Dr. Joseph is very passionate and committed to helping the sick. He is inspired by this Sanskrit peace prayer: 

ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः which means ‘May all be happy, May all be free from illness’. Many Texans remain uninsured or underinsured with high deductibles and copays. This is the major reason patients forego or delay medical care causing needless suffering, adverse health outcomes, and sometimes even premature death. It’s proven that preventative primary care will reduce lifetime healthcare costs and hospitalizations.

 In 2003, realizing the plight of the uninsured, Dr. Joseph came up with the idea of establishing a low-cost medical clinic. The Irving-DFW Indian Lions Club Foundation wholeheartedly supported the project and funded the start-up cost. Today, 19 years after the first clinic opened, there are four clinics in the DFW area. Clinics are open 6 days a week. The clinics serve complex patients and have provided comprehensive and high-quality care for more than 200,000 patient visits. Funding for these clinics is entirely accomplished from private donations. Patients pay $50 for each visit, which covers over 60% of the cost of operations. Blood tests are discounted and most tests cost around $12 each. Imaging studies and medications are made available at a low price. Many patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease find the services extremely beneficial and affordable. Care provided in these clinics reduces the need for costly emergency room visits. Local ERs and hospitals routinely refer patients to these clinics for follow-up care upon discharge. The availability of specialist providers in Rheumatology helps them treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other rheumatic diseases. 

Dr. Joseph is deeply indebted to all the generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and committed staff who are making a difference in the lives of many. He is extremely grateful to his loving and very patient wife, Sheela, whose unwavering support for the success of this endeavor.