UChicago Medicine AdventHealth to Host Free Medical Clinic

UChicago Medicine AdventHealth will host a free medical clinic on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, for families and individuals who cannot afford health care.

The clinic will take place from 9 am to 1 pm in the gymnasium at Lyons Township High School, South Campus, 4900 South Willow Springs Road in Western Springs. Parking will be free, and attendees will not be required to report their legal status or to present identification or an insurance card.

“This clinic reflects UChicago Medicine AdventHealth’s healing mission, which calls on us to extend care to all people, especially those in our local communities,” said Heather Hoffman, regional director of clinical mission integration for UChicago Medicine AdventHealth. “Our physicians and other team members will provide essential medical care to people facing financial hardship, helping us fulfill our mission by addressing healthcare gaps in our communities.”

The clinic will be staffed by dozens of clinical and non-clinical volunteers from UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, providing healthcare services and assisting attendees with registration, navigation and translation needs. Services offered include dental exams, diabetes and nutrition education, vision screenings, laboratory screenings (including glucose, cholesterol, urinalysis, and pregnancy tests), orthopedic care, school/sports physicals, free medication (based on an exam at the clinic), physical therapy, podiatry, and primary care.

Clinic attendees also will be able to connect with ongoing care and social services (such as counseling services and food pantries), receive specialty referrals, and gain access to affordable medications through participating partners such as Aging Care Connections, DuPage Health Coalition (Access DuPage), NAMI Metro Suburban, Pillars Community Health and the Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lions Club.

“Our goal in hosting the clinic is not just to provide care in that moment for community members, but to ensure they can receive ongoing care and support affordably beyond the clinic itself,” said Bela Nand, MD, chief medical officer of UChicago Medicine La Grange and Hinsdale and medical director of the clinic.

Earlier this year, a similar clinic was held in Glendale Heights, providing essential services to over 100 individuals who could not afford healthcare. These clinics are designed to increase access to care for people who are uninsured or underinsured, a key need identified by community health needs assessments conducted by UChicago Medicine AdventHealth in collaboration with community partners.

“Our community health needs assessments have repeatedly identified access to care as a significant need in our service areas, particularly among African American and Hispanic Latino communities,” said Fabiola Zavala, Regional Community Health Director. “By offering these clinics and partnering with community organizations, we aim to bridge the gap and provide equitable healthcare to all.”

While walk-ins are welcome, pre-registration is recommended to ensure an appointment time. To pre-register for the clinic, call 844-209-5995 or visit https://bit.ly/3ytvhFM.