Early in 2006, a group of interested community members began discussing how to provide medical services to residents of Iowa County and surrounding areas who are uninsured and cannot afford to pay for such services and supplies.
A county-wide health assessment at that time indicated that:

  • Approximately 10% of the county’s population did not have health insurance.
  • The local hospital was seeing about 500 uninsured patients annually in their emergency room.
  • Large gaps existed in state health assistance.

The group, representing such agencies as Southwest Community Action Program, Upland Hills Health, and the Iowa County Health Department, acted quickly to form a non-profit organization called Community Connections Free Clinic (CCFC).

CCFC opened its doors on October 17, 2006, in a 500-square-foot area at the back of the Metropolitan Building in Dodgeville. An eager volunteer staff registered and treated one patient. The next clinic evening, two patients appeared. On the third evening, there were 14. The word was out, patients responded, and the numbers have increased steadily ever since.

Space was a problem. With 12 volunteers and several patients at a time occupying the small area, there was concern about confidentiality, privacy, and respect. Again, community leaders got together and worked out a plan to expand and improve the space needed by the clinic.

In September 2009, CCFC began seeing patients in a brand new, expanded area on the lower level of the Metropolitan Building. It now had four exam rooms instead of two, and separate areas for lab, pharmacy, prescription assistance, and social care interviews.

With more space, CCFC was able to expand on-site services.

The new space is shared with the Neighborhood Health Partners, resulting in significant cost savings for both organizations.

 

Annual Report 2023

 

  • We had 26 provider volunteers, 48 other volunteers, and 12 board members contribute over 3,440 volunteer hours.
  • We saw 596 individual patients and provided a total of 950 visits, both in-person and virtually.
  • Saw patients from 6 different counties, with the majority being from Iowa, Lafayette, and Grant Counties.
  • Held clinics every Tuesday afternoon and every Tuesday and Thursday evening.
  • Hosted clinics for procedures such as skin lesion removal.
  • Connected patients to Prescription Assistance Programs.
  • Provided on-location health screenings at area farms and other locations with the Free Clinic On Wheels (“FCOW”)
  • Hosted Papapalooza, an event focused on the health needs of women.
  • Offered a Blood Pressure (BP) Program to patients diagnosed with hypertension. This program provides treatment,
    education, and coaching, including a self-monitoring BP machine.
  • Connected patients to mental health services through Oregon Mental Health Services.
  • Mentored RN students from UW Madison and Edgewood College.
  • The FCOW attended outreach events in 2023, including Cinco de Mayo in Darlington, the Iowa Co. Dairy Breakfast, 4th of July Parade in Mineral Point and the Farmers’ Appreciation Day Parade.
  • Collaborated with Southwest Technical College to create and award a scholarship for a bilingual nursing student.
  • County Health Department Nurses provided vaccinations on site.
  • Total revenue in 2023 was $287,657. The Other revenue category in the chart consists of Other Income 4.5%, Interest Income 1.9%, In-Kind Donations 1.2%, Church Donations 0.8%, and Corporate Donations 0.6%.
  • Total expense in 2023 was $239,044. Over 45% of total 2023 expense was spent on Direct Patient Care. The Other expense category in the chart consists of Prescription Assistance 6.4%, Spring Event Expense 3.9%, Supplies 1.7%, Scholarship 1.0%, and FCOW Expense 0.2%.