Athens free clinic surpasses $1 million in care for the community

By UGA Today

Fulfilling its commitment to the underinsured and uninsured of Athens-Clarke County and surrounding areas, the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership’s Athens Free Clinic surpassed the milestone of delivering more than $1 million of health care since its opening in 2018. The Athens Free Clinic connects Medical Partnership students and faculty with sites across the community to provide primary care.

“We could not have reached this mark without our team of faculty physicians, staff nurses, medical students, undergraduate volunteers, community partners and the support of leadership at the medical school,” said Dr. Suzanne Lester, medical director of the Athens Free Clinic. “We have helped community members receive high-quality primary care without incurring medical debt, and we have improved access to treatment for acute and chronic medical conditions.”

Several staff and faculty members play critical roles in setting health care providers’ schedules, coordinating with community partners and providing medical care. Jeni Fitzpatrick serves as the registered nurse and teaching operations manager, Dr. Kate Meixner is an assistant professor of family and community medicine and Jen Brown is a registered nurse and teaching clinic coordinator.

Medical Partnership faculty and students provide primary health care at local community partner sites including the Acceptance Recovery Center, Advantage Behavioral Health Systems, Bigger Vision Community Shelter, Cedar Shoals High School, Clarke Central High School, Clarke Middle Health Center, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Foothills Charter High School, Nuci’s Space, Pinewoods Community, Potter’s House and Project Safe.

“Beyond providing more accessible health care in our community, I hope that our services have contributed to our communities feeling more empowered in their health care and more trusting of doctors,” Lester said.

Since 2018, more than 330 medical students and 19 faculty members have conducted more than 4,400 patient visits through the Athens Free Clinic.

“It really feels amazing to witness the profound impact our team is making on the Athens community,” said Fitzpatrick, who coordinates the volunteers for the clinic. “The fact that we can teach our medical students while simultaneously providing free medical care to the community is incredibly rewarding.”

In February 2021, the Athens Free Clinic began administering COVID-19 vaccines. Faculty and students administered vaccines at the Department of Public Health, Athens Community Council on Aging, Potter’s House, Columbia Brookside, Bethel Village and other community sites. The clinic also partnered with the Clarke County School District to administer vaccines to faculty, staff, students and families. Overall, the clinic had administered almost 4,000 vaccines.

“Since the Medical Partnership opened its doors in 2010, one of our missions has been to serve our surrounding communities,” said Dr. Shelley Nuss, campus dean. “I am so proud of the care provided by the Athens Free Clinic and the hard work of our dedicated faculty and staff. It’s wonderful to see the impact that the Athens Free Clinic has had in making high-quality health care accessible to those in need.”

The Athens Free Clinic’s next milestone will be a ribbon cutting this spring for the opening of the permanent location of the Clarke Middle Health Center.