CONTACT:

AMERICARES                                                                                          
Beth Walsh:  203.658.9578

Permanent Clinic to be Located in Wheeler Community Center

Stamford, CT, September 21, 2006 - Construction will begin next week on the new AmeriCares Free Clinic of Bridgeport, which will be located in the Wheeler Community Center  on Sanford Avenue. 

Serving the primary health care needs of the uninsured, the AmeriCares Free Clinic of Bridgeport currently operates from a mobile medical unit that offers three weekly sessions, on Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Newfield Public Library on Stratford Avenue, and on Thursdays at the United Congregational Church on Park Avenue.   The move to the new location will allow the clinic to substantially increase the number of patients it serves, since the new site will feature five examination rooms, with the mobile unit limited to two.

 “The number of uninsured people continues to grow in Connecticut and there is a significant need for our services in Bridgeport,” says Karen Gottlieb, executive director of the AmeriCares Free Clinics.  “We recently launched a capital campaign to support the building of this clinic and while we are about half way to our goal, we are still actively seeking additional donations.  Because the need for our help can’t wait, we are starting construction now, so that we can begin treating patients in early 2007.” 

The AmeriCares Free Clinic of Bridgeport has provided health care services valued at close to $2 million to hundreds of city residents since it opened in 2003.    Providing general medical services to uninsured residents 18 and older, as well as specialty clinics for patients with chronic medical conditions, the clinic also offers prescribed laboratory/diagnostic testing through the generosity of Bridgeport Hospital, St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Quest Diagnostics. 

The work of the clinic is made possible by contributions of time from more than 100 volunteer doctors, nurses, non-medical volunteers and others, including specialists who see patients in their private offices at no charge. These contributions of expertise, services and time  make it possible for the clinic to treat patients who cannot afford needed medical care because they lack health insurance.  Delaying or not receiving treatment often leads to more serious illnesses and even hospitalization for conditions that could have been avoided had the patient received preventative and/or ongoing care.