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The Kansas City Free Health Clinic, since 1971

Originally known as the Westport Free Health Clinic, the Kansas City Free Health Clinic is a private, 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 1971 by a group of concerned citizens to serve the elderly and youth who lived in the Westport neighborhood of Kansas City.

Over 50 individuals attended a meeting at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on January 13, 1971, to talk about opening a free clinic in Westport. People attending this meeting were from all walks of Kansas City life…it was an interesting gathering of people from the medical community, from “Johnson County,” and from the free-spirited hippie community!

In the history of the Kansas City Free Health Clinic, its location, its staff, and its services have changed many times. But, its mission has not. Just as it was formed to do in 1971, the Clinic exists to promote health and wellness in our community by providing quality services, at no charge, to people without access to basic care.

A number of people who were involved with starting the Clinic and/or who were instrumental in keeping the Clinic open through the early years serve on a Founders Council that works closely with present day Clinic staff. Many of these people are shown in this picture on the steps of the Stone House, the second location of the Clinic.

The Clinic has always relied on a corps of volunteers and a small staff to reach out to adults of all ages and from all walks of life who have difficulty accessing basic health care due to financial constraints or lack of insurance coverage. The foundation of the Clinic is the belief that all people deserve quality health care and that care should be determined by a person’s needs and not their income.

Westport Free Health Clinic

1971 - We believe that health care is a human right, not a privilege based on income or anything else; that health care means caring about people, not just treating their diseases; that an emphasis on health education, preventive medicine, demystification and de-professionalism of medicine must underlie all interactions between staff and patients; that no hierarchical structures can exist among clinic staff or between staff and patients. We see the Free Clinic as a tool to build a new community.

The Clinic has always been viewed as the net under the “safety-net providers” of the public health system. As is the case today, back in 1971 the safety net providers could not provide care at reduced cost for all the uninsured and low income individuals in Kansas City. The situation in Westport with mostly uninsured and low income elderly and young hippie residents would just compound the problem. A Clinic offering basic health care at no cost would enable more people to get care, providing care for those who might not seek care until their medical condition became a serious and/or emergency condition.

Through the years, the Clinic has been flexible and open to change in order to meet the changing needs of its community.

In the 70s

  • The Clinic opened on April 5, 1971, in the lobby of the Alcazar Hotel at 39th and Baltimore; the build-out for the Clinic space was done by volunteers including the Founders.
  • Dr. Lee Pickering, Chief Resident, Menorah Hospital was the first volunteer physician. Note: Dr. Lee Pickering was involved in the Clinic documenting the opening of the Clinic in 2006 when it celebrated its 35th anniversary.
  • Clinic services focused on family planning, counseling and drug abuse treatment, and VD screening, lab testing, treatment and follow up.
  • In 1972, the Clinic moved to an old stone house at 40th & Baltimore.
  • There were up to four co-administrators at a time who were paid with what (if anything) was left after the bills were paid.
  • The Dental Clinic opened in February of 1974 and was staffed by dental and dental hygiene students under the supervision of instructors from the UMKC Dental School. It was a volunteer activity, not a dental school assignment.

In the 80s

  • The old stone house was condemned and the Clinic moved to the eastside to 5119 East 24th Street.
  • The name of the Clinic was changed from the Westport Free Health Clinic to the Kansas City Free Health Clinic.
  • As the HIV epidemic emerged in Kansas City the Clinic began providing services to the HIV infected and affected members of our community.  These included prevention, education, testing, and medical care.
  • In 1986, when HIV testing became available, the Clinic was contracted by the State of Missouri as the only anonymous HIV counseling and testing site in Western Missouri. The Clinic expanded its HIV Prevention/Education targeting efforts to those most at risk and reaching thousands annually,

In the 90s

  • Overall Clinic services were moved back to midtown to the 2nd floor of a building at 39th & Main; the Clinic later expanded to the first floor.
  • The UMKC School of Pharmacy made the Clinic a teaching site for students pursuing advanced degrees and placed a pharmacist on site.
  • The U.S. Public Health Service placed a commissioned officer who was a dentist at the Clinic.
  • The Clinic initiated a mental health program in 1997 in order to treat physical and emotional conditions simultaneously.  
  • As the need for services for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS increased, the Clinic significantly expanded its services.  Beginning in 1991, the Clinic has provided HIV Case Management through its affiliation with the citywide integrated HIV Case Management system.
  • In 1993, the Clinic was asked to be the lead agency for a Ryan White Title III Early Intervention Partnership.  This was the first direct Federal grant the Clinic received.  With the Clinic as the primary grantee six agencies provided HIV primary care and HIV testing..
  • The Clinic participated in HIV Clinical trials through the Kansas City AIDS Research Consortium.  These trials led to the development of proteus inhibitors which revolutionized the treatment of HIV.
  • In 1992 the Clinic hired its first full time provider, an HIV Clinical Nurse Specialist.
  • In 1995, the Clinic also hired its first physician, a part time position to serve HIV patients.  This position was later increased to full time.
  • HIV Prevention efforts were expanded to include community based testing and targeted all at risk populations.
  • In 1993, a clean needle exchange program was initiated to address the HIV prevention needs of the injection-drug-using population.
  • In 1997, 459 volunteers provided 12,123 hours of services valued at nearly $200,000.  
  • 1997 budget $2.5 million
  • Funding from Heart of America United Way, the Jewish Heritage Foundation and the Hallmark Corporate Foundation made it possible for the Clinic to hire a social worker to connect medical patients to internal and external resources.  
  • In 1999, the General Medicine Program provided more than 8,000 medical visits.

In the 2000s

  • The Clinic’s first capital campaign was conducted and $2.6 million raised to buy and renovate a facility at 3515 Broadway.
  • In a HRSA publication, the Clinic was designated a Best Practices Site for integrated HIV care,
  • In 2000 the Clinic applied for and was awarded a Ryan White Title IV grant to provide family centered case management for women, infants, children, youth and families infected and affected by HIV.  This grant is a partnership with Truman Medical Center, Good Samaritan Project and the AIDS Project of the Ozarks (Springfield, Missouri) and serves the Western part of Missouri.
  • From July 2000 – 2004, a CDC award allowed the Clinic to broaden the continuum of HIV counseling and testing, outreach, and prevention case management services targeting African American men and their female sex partners through a partnership with Good Samaritan Project (GSP) and the University of Missouri Kansas City.
  • In 2002, the Clinic dispensed 14,000 medications.
  • In 2002 a Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) was formed to serve as the link between the Clinic and the people it serves. The goal is to have all service areas (general medicine, dental, HIV treatment and prevention, and mental health) represented on the CAC and for it to meet monthly and participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of services and programs.
  • In 2003, General Medicine began next-day scheduling, which required patients to call in to make an appointment for the following day. This was an important step in better connecting patients in need of prompt treatment to medical care and reduced our “did not keep appointment” rate from 45% to less than 18%.
  • The first evaluation coordinator was hired in 2003 to improve the Clinic’s capacity to document impact on patients’ health.  By 2005-06, the evaluation department grew to a five-member team because of increased need for data collection, management and evaluation in securing funding and reporting program results and outcomes.
  • In 2003, the Clinic received one of seven CDC demonstration grants awarded nationally to initiate community-based rapid HIV testing in non-clinical settings including a mobile unit.  
  • The Clinic hired a full-time physician, Craig Dietz, D.O. as Clinical Director on July 1, 2004, to coordinate the work of volunteer medical providers and improve the continuity of care for patients.
  • The General Medicine Program hired its first bi-lingual medical assistant in 2004 to better serve Spanish-speaking patients.
  • In 2004, the Clinic was one of ten sites in the U.S. to participate in the Antiretroviral Treatment Access Studies (ARTAS) II, a joint CDC/HRSA project aiming to link newly diagnosed HIV+ individuals to care through a brief, intensive case management model.  95% of the clients enrolled in this project were linked to an HIV medical provider and 84% were engaged in care!
  • In April 2005, taxpayers supported a $13.2 million per year increase in the Kansas City Health Levy and the General Medicine Program saw a $350,000 increase in government support during FY05-06.    
  • April 2005, the Clinic launched new website: www.kcfree.org
  • Trained by the Shanti Institute, Clinic staff first offered the L.I.F.E. Program, a 17-week curriculum that increases self-knowledge about HIV disease and the immune system, improves skills for staying healthy, and imparts a sense of purpose and control over life.
  • In partnership with Emporia State University, an Art Therapy Program was launched as part of the clinic’s team approach (physicians, psychologists, nurses, counselors, social workers) to behavior healthcare.
  • In October 2005, the federal Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded the Clinic a 5-year grant to provide integrated HIV, hepatitis, and substance abuse prevention services targeting minority youth and adults as well as minority at-risk re-entry populations. 
  • FY 05-06 operating budget was nearly $7 million, including $2.2 million in donated goods and services
  • In 2005, the Health Care Foundation awarded $135,000 to the General Medicine Program’s Chronic Disease Program for Uninsured & Minority Individuals to improve patient self-management of such conditions as uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, depression, obesity, and multiple psycho-social issues. 
  • In 2006, many of the people who were instrumental in opening the Clinic in 1971 came together to recognize the Clinic’s 35th anniversary and to be interviewed for a documentary that was subsequently shown on public television.  
  • In 2006, the Health Care Foundation awarded the Clinic $85,000 to fund a portion of the costs for a dentist and dental coordinator. Prior to this award, volunteer dentists and students placed on site through the UMKC Partnership for Smiles provided the majority of oral health services. 
  • Sheri Wood, Clinic Executive Director since 1996, was elected President of the 12-member board of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of FREE CLINICS (NAFC) for calendar year 2007. NAFC is the only national non-profit whose mission is solely focused on supporting and representing the multitude of free clinics across the United States.
  • A Commissioned Officer on active duty with the U.S. Public Health Service as a Ready Responder began a three-year assignment at the Clinic to provide primary medical care to patients, co-run weekly women’s health clinics and serve as a preceptor for students.
  • Through a $20,000 award in 2008 from the H & R Block Foundation for the Domestic Violence Screening and Intervention Project, the Clinic began screening every client in every program for potential abuse.
  • In 2008, the Clinic qualified for AstaZeneca’s Institutional Prescription Assistance Program, which donated more than $130,000 in free medications in its first year. 
  • In 2009, the Clinic partnered with four other safety net clinics and the Mid-America Regional Council to fund the cost of staff for medical clinics two evenings per week, to augment after-hours medical services already provided by volunteers.  
  • Beginning in June 2006, chiropractic physicians from Cleveland Chiropractic College provided free chiropractic care to patients
  • HIV Rapid Testing (results in 20 minutes) became a routine screening option for medical and dental patients. 
  • In 2008-2009, the Clinic volunteer base exceeded 1000, providing  34,752 hours of service valued at $1.8 million.
  • In 2008, SAMHSA awarded the Clinic a new five-year grant focused on preventing substance abuse and HIV in high-risk minority adolescents.
  • In 2008, the Clinic became the local performance site for Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center (MATEC-MO), part of the nation wide sytem of AIDS Education and Training Centers.  The Clinic provides HIV related continuing education to licensed healthcare professionals across the State of Missouri and is the only non University affiliated local performance site in the nation.
  • In 2005 The Clinic became one of 3 sites nation wide participating in a HRSA Minority AIDS Initiative project to develop standardized curriculum for peer educators and to develop capacity building tools for agencies implementing peer education programs..
  • A walk-in rapid HIV testing clinic called The CITY (Counseling, Information & Testing for Youth) for youth ages 13-25 was started on Monday evenings.
  • In 2009-10, the Clinic provided more than 13,000 medical visits.

In the 10s

  • In 2010, the Clinic provided nearly 16,000 medical visits.
  • FY09-10, over 1,000 volunteers donated 38,926 hours valued at $1, 259,222.
  • FY09-10 budget topped $10 million plus, including $2.6 million in donated goods & services
  • As of December 2010, the General Medicine Program secured free medications for 700 individual patients through pharmaceutical company prescription assistance programs, compared to 400 in 2009. Securing high quality insulin was a crucial step since many Clinic patients with high-risk diabetes would not be able to control the disease without it.
  • The Clinic was one of 15 sites nation wide awarded a Special Project of National Significance in 2010 to integrate Hepatitis C treatment with HIV primary care. Services will include screening of all HIV+ patients for HCV, evaluation and periodic re-evaluation of HCV+ patients for treatment, patient education and access to medications. 
  • (2010 March) MATEC-MO The Clinic launched a collaboration with Truman Medical Center with an Infectious Disease grand rounds that will be held monthly alternating between TMC and the Clinic.
  • Clinic Executive Director Sheri Wood was recognized by the UCP of Greater Kansas City as a 2010 Hats off to Mothers Honoree.
  • In the winter of 2009 and throughout 2010, Clinic staff actively participated in the creation and carrying out of a series of C.A.R.E. clinics that the National Association of Free Health Clinics hosted in Houston, New Orleans, Little Rock, Kansas City, Hartford and Atlanta.
  • On April 5, 2011, the Clinic recognized its 40th year of serving Kansas City.
  • Dr. Craig Dietz was honored on October 24, 2010, by the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) for excellence in the practice of internal medicine.  The honorary degree of Fellow in the ACOI was conferred during a ceremony in San Francisco witnessed by more than 400 of his peers, family and friends.
  • In 2011 the Clinic began offering clinical trials.  Initially these trials are focused on HIV patients and this program will be expanded to include all patients.
  • (February 2011) Front Office Volunteer, Kevin Green, was featured on “Faces of Kansas City” on KCTV-Channel 5 in February.  Kevin was nominated for this recognition as he has given over 800 hours of quality service to the clinic and its patients.
  • In 2011 MATEC-MO at the Clinic was contracted by the State of Missouri to provide orientation and continuing education for the Statewide HIV Case Management system.

 

The Clinic has grown from a small free health clinic located in a hotel lobby to one of the largest free health clinics in the country. The Clinic operates two facilities: a modern, three story, 21,000 square foot clinic at 3515 Broadway and a satellite facility at 6400 Prospect, East Building, Suite 200, in Research Medical Center Doctor's Building.

Located in midtown only blocks from its original location in the Alcazar Hotel, the Broadway facility was purchased and renovated through funds raised in 2001 by the Clinic’s first ever capital campaign. Chairing the capital campaign were dedicated and staunch Clinic supporters Dr. Paul Koontz, Jr. and Dr. John C. Hall.

View the complete list of contributors to 2001 capital campaign