Free Community Clinic Care

Fort HealthCare shares a vision with other area organizations and medical volunteers to provide care for individuals without medical insurance. The Rock River Free Clinic in Jefferson, Wisconsin exists to fulfill this vision.
 
Gail Scott, RN, chair of the clinic and director of the Jefferson County Health Department said, "The administration and staff at Jefferson County Health Department knew there was a dire need for free medical and dental care for low-income individuals and families without health insurance. The one stumbling block was the need to recruit a physician who would agree to be the clinic’s medical director.”
 
Since the clinic opened on March 6, 2003, Dr. Greg Gehred has been the medical director of the Rock River Free Clinic. He is also a physician on staff at Fort Memorial Hospital. Gehred is a compassionate healthcare professional who enhances both the amount and quality of healthcare in Jefferson County and surrounding communities. 
 
Gehred has volunteered countless hours working at the clinic, recruiting other physicians, reviewing policies and procedures, and recruiting pharmacies and hospital labs to be on-call for stat lab results and patient emergencies. He has also gotten other physicians and clinics to donate medications and supplies.
 
Today, the clinic offers immediate non-emergency care and referrals to specialists as indicated as well as:
 
Preventive medical exams for adults
Medical exams for acute and chronic illness for adults and children with follow up care as needed
Limited lab tests and x-rays
Basic Eye exams
Assistance with prescriptions ordered by clinic physicians
 
Fort HealthCare supports the Rock River Free Clinic by covering the cost of laboratory and radiology expenses incurred by patients. The value of the non-reimbursed lab and radiology procedures exceeded $53,000 last year.
 
In addition, a loyal group of Fort Memorial Hospital physicians and staff regularly volunteer their time and services to the clinic.