The Community Clinic was founded in Joplin, Mo. in 1992 when a group of doctors, together with the First Presbyterian Church, dedicated one night a week to provide medical care for their community, according to the clinic’s website. In the early days, the Clinic’s doors opened at 3 p.m. every Thursday, and volunteers would work tirelessly until the last patient was seen. Emergency room physicians and nurses from local hospitals contributed, and basic volunteers lent their time.
By the year 2000, the Clinic’s trajectory changed. Due to a donation from Mr. Joe Berger and his family, the Clinic secured its own property in the middle of downtown Joplin. The community rallied together to renovate and stock the building, and the Clinic’s hours expanded.
The remodeled and current community clinic building.(Jeanna Jeyaraj / HS Insider)
Current Community Clinic Ambitions
In 2017, the Community Clinic’s name was changed to The Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri to better reflect its expanded regional impact. This expansion was mirrored in the new services provided, which include medical, dental, and specialty care. The addition of an in-hour laboratory in 2015, through a partnership with Heart-to-Heart international was also significant. Mental health counseling, women’s health screenings, and colorectal cancer screenings were introduced in subsequent years.
Today, the Clinic operates four days a week. It covers seven specialty areas of medicine and has a full staff. A key feature of its operations is the HOPE program, in which major drug companies make donations, providing the clinic with many notable medications such as Trulicity and Chantix.
Impact
The Clinics 2023 report stated that in the past year, the Clinic had 81 medical volunteers who contributed 3,330 hours. The Clinic has provided 13,266 prescriptions valued at a $1,296,999 and conducted 10,230 medical visits valued at $15,846,270. There were 4,072 flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, and 1,403 counseling visits.
The Clinic’s services also extend beyond medical care. Programs like the Patient Navigation Program supports patients with housing, utility assistance, transportation and other essential resources. The Show me Healthy Women program offers vital services including free mammograms, pap tests, and prescription assistance The clinic also provides diabetic education and counseling. They also have flu, pneumonia, and RSV clinics.
The Clinic’s van which provides transportation for patients. (Jeanna Jeyaraj / HS Insider).
Future Goals
The Clinic’s future includes expanding preventative care, addressing generational health issues, and increasing medical literacy in the area. Suffice to say, the Clinic makes a significant difference in the lives of countless individuals. In an interview, Linda Dean, a member of the nurse discharge team, reflecting on the clinic said “We have gone through heartaches, have lost sleep, and cried, but have also witnessed truly wonderful things.”
