News From AmeriCares Free Clinics

Expanding Specialty Care for the Uninsured

For the uninsured, specialty care is almost nonexistent. Most surgeons, neurologists, urologists and other specialists only accept patients with health insurance. That's why recruiting volunteer specialists has been a priority since the first AmeriCares Free Clinic opened in 1994. We started with a pediatric clinic in Norwalk in 1996, and over the years have expanded our services to offer patients treatment from orthopedists, pulmonologists, endocrinologists and cardiologists.

Our newest specialty clinic, an ophthalmology clinic for diabetic patients susceptible to vision problems, made its debut at the Bridgeport and Norwalk clinics this winter. Patients are screened for cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Retired ophthalmologist Dr. Arnold Pearlstone has already examined over 50 patients – two of whom required surgery – since the program began in January. The eye clinic will expand to Danbury later this spring.

"Since eye exams often cost $75 or more, we found many of our patients were delaying critical screenings because they simply could not afford it," said Bridgeport Clinic Director Cathy Sheehan. "By offering free eye screenings on site, we hope to prevent vision loss in more than 100 diabetic patients in Bridgeport alone."

Our specialty clinics fulfill an unmet need in the local community. When Planned Parenthood left Norwalk in 2007, we started a monthly women's health clinic to ensure our female patients would continue receiving annual exams and cancer screenings. And when we had trouble finding specialists to treat patients with backaches and joint pain from doing manual labor, we added an orthopedic clinic in Norwalk in 2008. We expanded the program to Bridgeport in 2009.

In addition to the volunteers who work in our clinics, we also have hundreds of specialists who see our patients in their offices at no charge. Last year, specialists provided nearly 1,500 consultations free of charge for our patients.

"Volunteer specialists provide invaluable insight and expertise" said AmeriCares Free Clinics Executive Director Karen Gottlieb. "Their input is a critical part of the care we provide.