OPEN ARMS FREE CLINIC INC

OAFC provides free healthcare with respect and dignity for individuals who do not have health insurance, who live or work in Walworth County with a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The goal for OAFC is to ensure that the medically underserved have access to quality health care. As a volunteer-driven, private, independent non-profit 501c3 organization, the mission is to better understand and serve with compassion the health and wellness needs of the low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents of Walworth County. The mission is delivered by a volunteer staff of medical and non-medical community members governed by a volunteer board of directors.

The two key strategies for its sustainability is (1) volunteer recruitment and retention, and (2) public awareness. OAFC recruit volunteers through the health care professionals in the two major hospital systems, Aurora Health System and Mercy Health System. All the key staff are well-respected community members and have utilized their personal and professional networks to recruit the core volunteer staff. Ongoing recruitment occurs through advertisements in community newspapers, electronic newsletters, paper brochures and online media via the website and social media. The administrative team works with available volunteers to match skills, schedules, and the clinic's needs. The training and orientation needed for each position is provided once the volunteer has completed the application, background check and interview. Professional liability coverage is provided by the state of Wisconsin.

The OAFC Executive Director, Sara Nichols, has a master's degree in public health and over 15 years experience working in non-profit management with a focus on grant writing, program development and evaluation, and collaboration building. She oversees a current operating budget of over one million dollars of cash and in-kind resources. She coordinates both paid and volunteer staff to assist with provider recruitment, clinic operations, and direct patient care. Her passion and perseverance has been instrumental to mobilize the community in addressing the health care needs of vulnerable populations while ensuring compassionate care is delivered to our patients.

2019 Accomplishments Include:
Medical Services – Volunteer doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab techs, and interpreters provide direct primary and specialty medical care for qualified patients. In 2019, there were 873 unique patients with at least one visit. Medical services are offered an average 3-4 days a week. There were 6,621 total patient visits, approximately 32% of our visits are medically related: 936 (14%) primary care, 404 (6%) specialty care, 434 (7%) pharmacy, and 345 (5%) lab, and 36 care coordination. While we care for all ages, the majority (88%) are adults age 18-64 with chronic disease (diabetes, heart disease, asthma, mental health). We dispensed 11,022 medications and completed 3,568 lab tests. All services provided at no cost to the patient.

Dental Services - Oral health care is provided by volunteer and paid dentists, assistants, and hygienists. In 2019, there were 402 unique patients cared for in the dental clinic, with 801 visits total. At least 25% of the patients are children, and 6% are adults with special needs. Each patient is given an initial exam, that includes X-ray, by a dentist to determine the level of care needed, basic restorative treatment, extractions when needed, and a cleaning. By the numbers completed to date: 5,689 dental procedures; 811 exams; 1,025 x-rays; 1,318 fillings; 1,501 extractions; 793 cleanings; 140 sealants; 274 fluoride/SDF; 7 dentures/partials. All services were provided free at no cost to patients, less those who had a minimal co-pay with their Medicaid.

Behavioral Health Services – For the past 5 years, individual and family counseling services have been delivered by master-level students supervised by a contracted private agency. In 2019, there were 355 new patients enrolled at the clinic and 98% (348) received a wellness assessment completed by the counselors at intake. There were 178 patient visits for ongoing counseling services. Patients can receive both medication and counseling therapeutic models within the clinic. Medications are prescribed by the OAFC providers and dispensed on-site via our pharmacist-led medication dispensary. While no narcotics nor scheduled drugs are available, medical providers have been able to treat general anxiety, depression, and mood disorders with the available medications in the Open Arms dispensary. All services provided at no cost to the patient.