The NOLA 25

Affordable health care for the city's music scene.

The nonprofit New Orleans Musicians' Clinic is dedicated to promoting the health of local music--literally. Since 1998, the clinic has doled out free or low-cost health care to the Crescent City's musical masses (and their families) who are contributing to the city's musical economy but aren't getting health insurance in return. The dedicated staff of nurse practitioners and volunteer doctors provides basic care and access to musicians on a sliding scale. Play the tuba and need knee surgery? NOMC's got you covered. The clinicians also provides musicians with basic health knowledge about early detection, prevention, and treatment of various diseases. Next time you wander into a tiny New Orleans club and get swept up by the local sound, you can thank the band, and also the benefactors in white smocks up on Napoleon Avenue.

-Mallika Chopra