Free clinic passes torch with $10K gift

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WILMINGTON — Since opening in 2004, the Free Clinic of Clinton County has been a source of free quality health care to qualifying Clinton County residents. The community-supported clinic, formerly located at 62 E. Sugartree St. in Wilmington, was staffed completely by volunteer help and provided more than 11,000 patient visits during its 11 years of operation.

The Free Clinic of Clinton County has been an integral part of the community, offering uninsured residents in the community access to primary care and other community resources. The Clinic was quick to respond to community needs following the closing of DHL and the local economic downturn, by “providing high quality services in a safe, comfortable, caring environment.”

This is a mission closely shared with local, non-profit primary care provider, HealthSource of Ohio. In fact, since opening the Wilmington office in 2011, HealthSource has become the primary care destination for many of the Free Clinic’s former clientele.

The Free Clinic of Clinton County’s board of directors believe that HealthSource’s broader range of services, coupled with their ability to accept uninsured patients, as well as those with Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance, was better suited to meeting community needs and decided to close their doors in late 2015.

After dissolving the Clinic in December, the board met again and decided to gift $10,000 to the HealthSource Foundation’s Health & Hope Fund, directly benefiting the Wilmington office. The Health & Hope Fund provides personalized assistance to patients who could benefit from a little extra TLC. It provides an opportunity for the staff to deliver services that go above and beyond what is expected from a typical Community Health Center, helping solve challenges and issues that HealthSource patients face in their daily lives.

In the past, Health & Hope Funds have been used to provide expectant/new mother supplies, transportation vouchers, prescription and over-the-counter assistance, and other case-by-case necessities. With this gift, the Free Clinic of Clinton County’s legacy will live on by continuing to provide personalized patient care to the residents of Clinton County.

HealthSource of Ohio is very grateful for this gift and the opportunity to serve the Clinton County community. A special thank you should be extended to all whom made this possible; the Free Clinic of Clinton County board members: Sigrid Solomon, President; Erika Goodwin, Secretary; Laura Raizk, Treasurer; Dr. Tom Tigar, Medical Director; Gail Murtland, Jay Barkey, and Denise Kleinhenz, Clinic Coordinator; volunteers Pat Sewell, Joyce Noland, Sandy Leslie, Linda Barkey, and Steve Kleinhenz; and the Clinic’s widespread community supporters.

To learn more about HealthSource of Ohio, visit www.healthsourceofohio.org.

From left are: Sigrid Solomon, President of the Clinton County Free Clinic Board; Dr. Rachel Sneed, HealthSource of Ohio; Sandra Mongold, HealthSource of Ohio Board; Denise Kleinhenz, Clinic Coordinator; and Lisa Jackson, VP Marketing and Development, HealthSource of Ohio.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/08/web1_Big-check-wilmington.jpgFrom left are: Sigrid Solomon, President of the Clinton County Free Clinic Board; Dr. Rachel Sneed, HealthSource of Ohio; Sandra Mongold, HealthSource of Ohio Board; Denise Kleinhenz, Clinic Coordinator; and Lisa Jackson, VP Marketing and Development, HealthSource of Ohio. Courtesy photo

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