By Ginny Hall
OPEN ARMS FREE CLINIC HISTORY
A free health clinic was only a dream of Father Daniel Sanders until he told it to his friends at the May 11, 2011, West Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Fontana Citizen of the Year Award program, which he was receiving. People at his table asked when the next meeting would be.
Father Dan enlisted the help of a childhood friend who worked at a Milwaukee health clinic. A group met on May 18, 2011, at his home and made a list of things they needed to know to get started. It included: location, health providers, a building and equipment, patient identification, volunteers and financial backing.
At their July meeting, it was decided that the clinic would be free and rooted in selfless service. Therefore, it would not be a Federally Qualified Health Center. Federal guidelines impose restrictions. The group sought help to apply to incorporate and obtain necessary licenses, permits and federal tax exemption status. Some time was spent naming the health clinic; finally settling on “Open Arms”. On December 21, 2011, the name was incorporated as Open Arms Free Clinic, Inc.
Mission: Our mission is to better understand and serve with compassion the health and wellness needs of low income, uninsured residents of Walworth County.
The next step was to name a Medical Director and a corporate legal advisor to establish procedures, policies, and protocols. Committees were named for site/location, fundraising, medical services, the clinic’s development; as many volunteers said, “Who can say NO to Father Dan?”.
Another important person was Judy Johnson. She was the one who had nominated Father Dan for the Chamber of Commerce award and who knew the people in the area and their expertise. Dr. Robert Fasano was named the 1st Medical Director, Karla Tildahl was named 1st Nurse Manager, William Clark 1st Pharmacist, Dr. Robert Dillman, 1st Dentist and Dottie Lock, 1st Lab Manager.
This article would be ten times its length if I named all of the people who got this clinic going and operating. Wait for the comprehensive history being written by Mary Hutchings Reed.
The first thought was to look for a site in the village of Walworth; however, it was decided that Elkhorn was more appropriate for patients throughout Walworth County. A small site in a strip mall was rented. Area hospitals and clinics donated used but appropriate equipment and materials. Volunteer medical staff and other volunteers were scheduled. Patient eligibility: must either live or work in Walworth County, income at or below 200% of federal poverty level guidelines and do not have insurance.
Dr. Fasano saw his first patient on December 6, 2012. The clinic was on Thursdays from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm. April 2013 saw two doctors scheduled most days. By the end of 2013, the clinic was open four days a week for five hours a day.
Finances came from foundations, businesses, service clubs, churches, fund raisers and individuals.
Soon the rented facility was too small. With the financial assistance of Gregg Kunes, the former Aurora Health Clinic building on the south side of Elkhorn was obtained and divided into two condo units (The Walworth County Food & Diaper Bank filled the condo unit adjacent to Open Arms). The new facility opened on April 1, 2015.
Sara Nichols started as a volunteer Clinic Coordinator in 2012, and in 2015 she was hired as the first Executive Director.
April 2015 saw the start of offering dental, behavioral health, and vision services. Two dental chairs were available at the clinic. The end of that year saw more than 100 patients receiving dental care and a like number receiving behavioral services. 50 new volunteers were donating their time and talents. A total of 1,500 people were being helped. In 2017, Kunes sold the condo unit to Open Arms.
The clinic bought the dental building which was next door; this was a six chair facility. The grand opening was August 19, 2020. This allowed partnership with Marquette Dental School and area technical schools.
2020 and the COVID pandemic brought a brief halt to all of the non-essential medical visits. 2021 the clinic was dispensing COVID-19 vaccines and started a summer pilot mobile clinic. During 2022/23 the clinic obtained a grant to offer Seal-a-Smile to all county schools.
Some faces stay the same at the clinic; many new faces appear on both the medical and the volunteer staff. More people find the clinic an appropriate resource for their health needs. As you read this, what does it mean for YOU? Can you be a volunteer? Can you donate? Financial help is always appreciated.
First Patient Enrollment Day: November 7, 2012 – Volunteers: Cathy Nemerovski, Barb Riley, Lisa Krolow, Kathy McLaughlin, Jan Hnilo, Linda Fitzsimmons, Linda Franz, Sarah O’Reilly, Barb Iwan
First Medical Day: December 6, 2012 – Volunteers: Bill Clark, Dottie Lock, Maureen Redmer, Karla Tildahl, Sue Diederich, Jo Ann Lakemacher, Dr. Bob Fasano
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