Community Health Free Clinic provides care for all

Kristine Beenken of Waterloo said she’s forever grateful to the Community Health Free Clinic in Cedar Rapids for the medical care she received during a critical time in her life.

A mechanical engineer by trade, Beenken was laid off from her job in 2008. It was a devastating blow that left her struggling to make basic choices about which bills to pay.

When Beenken got sick less than a month later, she said she had little money, no health insurance and nowhere to go for help.

“It was one bad thing on top of a mountain of bad things,” she said. “I was already struggling to pay basic bills. If I waited too long to get medical treatment, I would have ended up in the emergency room.”

After searching online, Beenken visited the Community Health Free Clinic to get the medical care she desperately needed.

“I was apprehensive and nervous,” Beenken said. “I didn't want any judgment about why I was there. I was embarrassed that I couldn’t afford to go to my regular family physician.”

Soon, her fears were put to rest.

“The receptionist asked me to fill out a form to explain why I was there and list the medications I was taking,” she said. “There were no questions about insurance or payment. I did not feel judged and was treated with kindness and respect.

“When I explained my situation to the doctor, he listened carefully and without rushing me,” she said. “Soon after, he prescribed medicine I was able to pick up in the same building. It was incredibly comforting.”

Beenken’s story is one we hear often at the Community Health Free Clinic. We provide compassionate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug services for anyone who needs it. Without shame or judgment. Free of charge.

The Clinic was co-founded in 2002 by Dr. William Galbraith and Darlene Schmidt on the belief that everyone has a right to quality, compassionate medical care by virtue of their humanity.

We never charge for our services. We do not rely on government funding. Instead, we rely on the generosity of individual donors, businesses, churches and foundations to provide a high level of care with dignity and respect.

In fiscal year 2024, the Community Health Free Clinic provided these health care services free of charge:

In Fiscal Year 2024, the clinic also:

The Community Health Free Clinic will continue to act as a lifeline for those in need. Whether we experience floods, economic downturns or global health crises, we’re committed to providing excellent health care for our patients. We care deeply about our community and everyone who is part of it.

Beenken, for one, says she was touched by her clinic experience.

“It was all so easy, caring and kind,” she said. “With zero questions and zero obligations. I was incredibly grateful.”

That’s our goal.

The Community Health Free Clinic provides compassionate care — regardless of age, employment or finances. We want our patients to feel heard and valued. We want them to feel better about themselves and their community.

Today, Beenken is once again employed and has health insurance through her employer. In the years since, she’s also become a regular donor to the Clinic, so she can help others in a similar medical situation.

Most of all, she says she’ll never forget the place that gave her comfort and support during a dark period of her life.

“The Community Health Free Clinic helped me at a time when I needed it most. I support them now because I want them to help other Eastern Iowans in need for years to come.”

If you’d like to support our mission, visit: www.communityhfc.org

Darlene Schmidt is cofounder and CEO and Amy Johnson is director of donor and community relations for the Community Health Free Clinic.