Contact: Amy Gilliam

Established in 1986, the clinic offers free health care to those who can’t afford care ranging from infants to the elderly. The clinic is open from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and generally assists up to 10 patients a night. Medical students and physicians staff the clinic. Approximately 30 faculty members from various departments at UK volunteer their time at the clinic. Nearly all medical students participate in the clinic at some point in their medical school careers. Each year approximately 120 students are involved in the functioning of the clinic.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2004) -- The University of Kentucky College of Medicine Salvation Army Student-run Free Clinic recently was chosen as a “Model That Works” by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. The foundation launched the “Models That Work” competition in May 2003 to recognize health care facilities that are making strides toward delivering unmet health care needs in the Commonwealth.

“The students, residents and faculty who work at this free clinic do so out of concern and commitment to their fellow man and the art of healing,” said John M. Bennett, M.D., clinical adviser for the student-run free clinic. Bennett is an assistant professor and director of geriatric education at the UK College of Medicine Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine.

Established in 1986, the clinic offers free health care to those who can’t afford care ranging from infants to the elderly. The clinic is open from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and generally assists up to 10 patients a night. Medical students and physicians staff the clinic. Approximately 30 faculty members from various departments at UK volunteer their time at the clinic. Nearly all medical students participate in the clinic at some point in their medical school careers. Each year approximately 120 students are involved in the functioning of the clinic.

“The students maintain a strong sense of ownership in the operation of the clinic. I truly believe what the students learn during this period of volunteer services is a model that can be replicated in any community,” Bennett said.

The foundation received over 70 submissions to “Models That Work” from communities all over Kentucky. A selection committee met in September and chose the Student-run Free Clinic as one of 31 programs to be recognized as a “Model That Works.” The winning programs will be featured on the foundation’s Web site in a searchable database that allows anyone to learn more about these exceptional programs.