Free clinic “Meridian” celebrates 10 years

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) –

What started as a dream by a handful of community members to provide free health care to uninsured patients became a reality on October 30, 2014. Now the Meridian Free Clinic is celebrating 10 years of service and helping more than 200 patients every month.

Katie Williamson, the clinic’s founder and current board member, said, “Some of us who worked in healthcare wanted to provide an option for uninsured patients who were frequenting emergency rooms due to a lack of routine care. These patients were often in critical conditions that could have been prevented if they had had access to medical care. We began brainstorming the idea, and after three years of diligent research, planning and fundraising, the Meridian Free Clinic opened its doors.”

The clinic provides free medical care to residents of Lauderdale, Kemper, Neshoba, Clark, Newton, and Jasper counties in Mississippi, as well as Sumter and Choctaw counties in Alabama, aged 19 to 64 years, who do not have health insurance (including Medicaid). or Medicare) and have an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Williamson continued, “The clinic is a non-profit organization that receives no state or federal funds, so we rely on donations from generous community partners. We are grateful to our two local hospitals who have supported us from the beginning, volunteers, office workers, and donations from community members and local organizations that help fund our operational needs.”

The clinic’s medical director, Dr Jennifer Brown, said: “While much of the care we provide is related to the treatment of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and respiratory conditions, we also bring in specialists when needed. All healthcare providers volunteer their time, many of them are participants in the EC Healthnet Rural Family Medicine Residency Program. We also attract students from Meridian Community College’s nursing program, Mississippi State University’s physician assistant training program, and numerous volunteer physician practitioners.”

After a significant increase in the number of patients, it became obvious that the clinic was outgrowing its space. Council members applied for a one-time grant to fund the expansion and received a federal cost grant directed by Congress totaling more than $310,000 to add two examination rooms, a multipurpose room, office and storage space in 2023. This expansion allowed the clinic to increase its ability to help more patients in need of free medical care.

In an effort to reach more patients, the clinic recently updated its website to include an electronic claim option. Patients can now complete an application online to determine eligibility without having to travel to a clinic. This provides a more efficient process for patients without transportation and for those living outside of Lauderdale County.

“I started volunteering at this clinic when I was a family medicine resident, and it has been amazing to see how much it has grown over the years,” Brown said. “I am thrilled to continue to serve this patient population and enhance Meridian Free Clinic services.”

In order to become a patient of the clinic, patients must fill out an application. After verification, an appointment will be made with the appropriate service provider. The application can be completed online at www.thefreeclinicmeridian.com. or at the clinic, which is located at 4707 Poplar Springs Drive, Meridian, MS 39305. Clinic hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call 601-286-5551.

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