Community Health Free Clinic - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Patient Stories: Why we make a difference every day!

Julie Thompson, age 32, has been receiving medical services from CHFC since 2001. She has been receiving free medication through our Prescription Assistance Program in addition to seeking treatment for various illnesses.

Thompson credits the clinic and specifically Darlene and Janet with saving her life after she came into the clinic feeling nauseated and close to passing out. Darlene and Janet realized she was experiencing heat stroke and treated her immediately before sending her onto the hospital for further care.

In another instance a mistake had been made in the dosage of medicine prescribed to Thompson by an Iowa City Doctor. Julie was having severe side effects to the medicine and after speaking with Doctor Peterson at the clinic the medicine was discontinued.

“The clinic fills in the gaps by providing the care I need from the residual side effects and damage the medicine has done to my body,” stated Thompson.

As a result of the care Julie’s family has witnessed her receiving at the clinic, her cousin and his wife both volunteer at the clinic. Paul Orcutt is a doctor and chose to volunteer because he saw the level of care and compassion she received at the clinic. His wife also helps at the clinic on a regular basis.

“You can’t get better healthcare any other place in town. They have the best doctors and experience. I wish every doctor, nurse, and health professional treated me the way Darlene, Janet, and everyone else at the clinic has done, with respect, compassion, and dignity.” shared Thompson.

When asked why people should support the Clinic, Thompson had this to say. “I wouldn’t be here today if the clinic hadn’t been here and especially Darlene and Janet. The clinic helps so many people on such a small budget and the volunteers are incredible. The patients are grateful and thankful the clinic is here to take care of them. Community Health Free Clinic meant the difference between life and death to me,” declared Thompson.

Larry Benter was considered legally blind and had to have assistance with eating, walking, and led every where because he had fallen so many times. He called his years without sight very humbling and humiliating. After the flood hit in June 2008 Larry lost everything in the flood. A friend’s mother who took in Benter after the flood heard about the new eye clinic and brought Benter to see Dr. Muller. Dr. Muller diagnosed him with cataracts in both eyes and was able to successfully restore his sight after two operations. He is now able to live unassisted and could see Christmas in its entirety for the first since being a small child.

“Not having health insurance is crippling enough, I’d still be in a wheelchair, in a corner some-where, totally dependent or worse,” stated Larry Benter.

A 23 year old male had been in the hospital with dental infection that required in-patient surgery. He had no money for medications and couldn’t get his birth certificate from out of state because of lack of funds and didn’t know what to do. Our staff person, Leslie who is part of the clerical staff in the dental area, has become the expert. She paid for the birth certificate with our credit card so he could have care at the U of I. In fact, he could have received all his care for free if he would have had is birth certificate, but didn’t know how to obtain one. The male was accompanied by his wife and two small children who had walked from Mercy Hospital to the clinic for help and it was very cold. The baby was crying and when asked if she didn’t have a bottle, the mother said “No milk.” She had been putting water in the bottle for the baby. A case of formula was found and sent with the family and we paid a taxi to give them a ride back home.

Dr. Flynn saw a 34 year old with a headache. He was able to obtain a panoramic film of the patient since we have this equipment on site. After the film he thought she needed an MRI. The findings were questionable for Lymes disease or multiple sclerosis. She was sent to the U of I for care.

A 37 year old female presented herself with an increase weight gain and abdominal enlargement. CT abdomen showed large amounts of ascites. She was sent to U of I immediately.

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Mission: To provide Medical and Dental care to the uninsured and under-served
of East Central Iowa through model Community Partnerships.

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