By Amy Rowley
In May, The Olympia Free Clinic celebrated its one year anniversary and marked the day with the 1,000th visit to the clinic.
While the walk-in clinic facility is small, its impact to the community is huge.
Open to anyone without medical insurance, The Olympia Free Clinic does not charge any fee for services rendered.
“Everything in this space has been donated,” explains Executive Director Paula Rauen while pulling aside a curtain used as a door for a partitioned exam room.
“Thousands of people here in Thurston County just can’t afford medical care. The Olympia Free Clinic gives them a place to go for help with acute medical problems,” says Medical Director Dr. Samantha Ritchie.
The clinic comes alive weekly, on Wednesdays, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm.
A conference room becomes a registration desk and waiting room. The hallway converts to an overflow waiting area. A smaller meeting space serves as a resource room with social workers and documentation about local community groups.
Operating in the Family Support Center building on State Street in downtown Olympia, The Olympia Free Clinic is easily accessible by public transportation.
In 2009, a free clinic in Lacey closed. Individuals connected with the clinic wanted to avoid a gap in services and reopen a clinic that is more accessible.
Working with the Washington Free Clinic Association, the group formed a board of directors and became a non-profit organization.
“We treat all individuals on a first come, first serve basis,” explains Rauen. “A triage nurse takes the patient’s vital signs and determines the person’s needs.”
“People have multiple problems and it’s wonderful that we have the social service partners to help,” adds Rauen. “A person may visit us for a cold or flu but they may be homeless, need help with food stamps and a whole range of other issues.”
Rauen joined a week before the first clinic in May 2011. With a background in social services and a Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science, Rauen handles all the administrative tasks associated with operating the clinic.
Rauen notes that most patients come to the clinic due to viral infections, respiratory issues, or diet-related illnesses.
“Without access to The Olympia Free Clinic, patients would either head to the emergency room or their condition would go untreated and the problem becomes more serious,” explains Rauen.
Ritchie, a partner in Vantage Physicians, volunteers as the Medical Director because she strongly believes in helping her neighbors. “If my neighbors in Thurston County need medical care and I happen to have the expertise to offer that care, then that’s what I do.”
Ritchie tells the story of a man who had a testicular mass but was afraid that it may be cancer and without insurance and a recent job loss, he would be unable to pay for the medical expenses.
“I thought that it was probably benign. An ultrasound confirmed that impression. The gentleman almost cried with relief when he got that news,” says Ritchie.
The Olympia Free Clinic is staffed entirely by volunteers and operates with three doctors each night. A licensed nurse is paired with each physician and all are covered by a malpractice insurance policy.
Rauen is always looking for additional providers, nurses, and support staff to continue to operate the clinic and perhaps open a second night.
In addition, a pharmacist volunteers each week. “The pharmacist can consult with doctors on medications and dispense medications that are held on the premises,” says Rauen who also notes that no narcotics are dispensed at The Olympia Free Clinic.
“Community members can donate their time or money to help support the clinic. We are always looking for more medical providers, but we also need people who are able to coordinate registration, assist with computers, or raise dollars,” adds Ritchie.
“My heart sings to see the amazing service that our volunteers provide. A downtrodden, teary-eyed patient leaves smiling, just knowing that someone is listening to their concerns,” summarizes Rauen.
The Olympia Free Clinic
108 State Ave NW
Olympia, WA 98501
Wednesday Evening Walk-in Clinic
5:30 – 8:00 pm
