Chippewa Valley Free Clinic

The Chippewa Valley Free Clinic is Moving

After 14 years of donation of free space in the building owned by the Valleybrook Church, the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic needs to find a new easily accessible location. The Clinic’s lease at 421 Graham Avenue has expired as of June 1, 2011; however, it has been temporarily extended until August 1, 2012.

Due to the increasing demand for the services provided, both the Church and the Clinic have run out of space to best serve their members and patients. The Church needs more room for various youth and adult programs; the Clinic has a need for additional patient rooms, an educational and conference room, as well as, more space for new and existing services. In the last four months of 2011 alone, patient visits to the clinic have increased by 27 percent over the last 5 year average; patient visits for July increased 18 percent from July of last year, medication expenses increased 76 percent from last year, and every clinic has operated at maximum capacity. The relocation can bring the Clinic an opportunity to grow current programs and services.

The Clinic’s community executive board is committed to procuring a space which is easily accessible through public transportation and to continue serving all patients during the relocation process. The Clinic is the safety net which provides the much needed healthcare support to the community; it fills the gap for the uninsured, the underinsured, the unemployed, and the underemployed.

“During this moving process, the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic needs community support more than ever before,” said Maribeth Woodford, Executive Director. “We would like to say a very big thank you to Valleybrook for their 14 years of generously donated space. Their support has been critical to the success of the Clinic. We are very appreciative of everyone’s efforts on our behalf, and may we all look forward to expanding our services and building upon our many years of growth.”

Support your Clinic: Summer Raffle Needs your Donations!

The 2011 Chippewa Valley Free Clinic raffle is underway and every donation matters.

A few of the fabulous prizes you may be eligible for include a car wash package through Ship Shape or a Kindle donated by the health department staff.

One ticket may be purchased for $20 or three tickets can be purchased for $50. Ticket sales end September 9. Contact the clinic by phone 715-839-8477 (ext. 203) or by email at info@cvfreeclinic.org to arrange a ticket purchase. Drawing will be held at September Board meeting: September 19 and winners will receive notification through email or phone.

Support the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic by purchasing your raffle ticket today!

Thank you to those who have supported us during our summer raffle!

Generosity Jumpstarts Free Clinic Eye Care

Eau Claire, WI – Thanks to the generous donations of two area eye‐specialists and Luther Midelfort, the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic is now offering its patients a new specialty: eye care. Starting Thursday, CVFC will be able to do eye exams at the 421 Graham Avenue location. “There is no way we would have been able to afford this equipment on our own, so these donations are tremendous,” said Brent Hafele, CVFC’s Executive Director.

In the past, when a patient needed eye‐related care, CVFC would write a referral to an area eye‐clinic. Over the past year, this need was met by HealthView Eye Clinic’s Jeff Bourgerie, O.D. When he was no longer able to take Free Clinic referrals, he offered to donate three critical pieces of equipment: the chair, stand, and phoropter (a device used to determine eye glass prescriptions). “I knew how many individuals were coming from the Free Clinic, so I decided to give them some of the tools they need so they can become more self‐sufficient,” said Bourgerie.

The Clinic retrofitted one of its rooms with the donated equipment from Bourgerie as well as a slit‐lamp from Luther Midelfort. New capabilities include eye‐health screenings for individuals with glaucoma, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, basic treatment of those conditions, and corrective glasses.

Aveen Banich, M.D., a Luther Midelfort Ophthalmalogist, has volunteered her expertise to provide the leadership to the new program. “I just want to help get the ball rolling. There’s a direct correlation between eye‐health and the health of the rest of the body, and I want to help bring these services to people who might otherwise not receive them,” said Banich. According to CVFC’s executive director, Brent Hafele, “We’ve been given an amazing opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our patients. The clinic now has many of the tools, however, in order for the program to be a success, we also need the support of volunteers and donors in the community.” CVFC is now seeking eye care professionals to volunteer with the new program and optical labs to provide donated or discounted services. In addition, the Clinic is accepting donations to pay for glasses and other eye care related expenses. For more information, go to www.cvfreeclinic.org/eye‐care.

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The Chippewa Valley Free Clinic opened its doors in 1997 with the mission to provide health services to and advocacy for the people of the Chippewa Valley who have no health care alternative. If you’d like more information about the clinic, or to schedule an interview with Brent Hafele, please call 715.839.8477.