Fulton County Free Medical Clinic

Rochester Optimist Club members present the Fulton County Free Medical Clinic with $1,000 to help with startup costs.

"You'd be amazed at who in Fulton County does not have medical insurance.  And I'm not talking about who you'd consider poor. I'm talking about people who are working…they have jobs, but they're working in positions that don't pay enough money to enable them to buy insurance."

Those are the words of Dick Enyart of Rochester as he talks about a dream he has to assure that no Fulton County resident goes without needed medical treatment or medications because of lack of insurance. 

Enyart, along with Woodlawn Hospital CEO John Alley, is working to establish the Fulton County Free Medical Clinic.  The clinic would allow persons who qualify to receive the medical treatment and medications they need even though they cannot afford them.

These two men came together when Enyart was seeking help for a local woman who needed surgery but had no way to pay for the medical treatment.  In May of last year, she approached Enyart in his capacity with the Fulton County United Ministries Outreach program. Her request was beyond the scope of the organization, so Enyart approached Alley and learned that help was available through the hospital's Compassionate Care Program. All the hospital bills were waived, and a meeting with the surgeon resulted in him cutting his bill nearly in half. Enyart went to local businesses and individuals to raise the remainder of the needed funds.

Enyart was encouraged enough by Alley's backing and that of others to call a public meeting attended by 30 people. A steering committee was formed in August 2007, and a seven-member board of directors was elected.

Community support has already begun coming in.  Both the Community Foundation and Woodlawn Hospital have provided a portion of the funding that is needed to get the project going.  A fund has also been established within the Community Foundation to help support the project.  By working with the Community Foundation, it will allow the clinic to accept a wide variety of gifts including stocks, real estate and other personal property. 

But while there is a free clinic on paper, there is not one in operation. There are grants to be sought, donations to be solicited, staff members to be employed and volunteers to be enlisted. 

"We have the talent right now to operate the clinic," Enyart said. "What we need is money and a location."

He estimates it will take around $250,000 a year to operate.  A portion of this will be provided by Woodlawn Hospital with in-kind services and staff help. 

"Several local doctors have already offered their time free of charge," says Enyart. "And there are people in the community who are ready to volunteer."

Does Fulton County need a free clinic? The numbers would indicate it does.  Enyart points out that 37% of the county's residents would qualify for treatment and medications.