CONTACT:

AMERICARES
Lisa Slow:  203-658-9557/cell 917-902-7650
Danielle Fiori: 203-658-9579/cell 203-561-3045 

Stamford, CT, September 25, 2007.  AmeriCares Free Clinics will open its newest location today in Bridgeport, where Mayor John Fabrizi will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony.   

The open house will take place at 11 AM, Wednesday, September 26, at the clinic's new location, 115 Highland Avenue, Bridgeport, CT.   The space for this new clinic was generously provided by the City of Bridgeport. 

The clinic will be named the Weisman Clinic, in honor of generous donor Fred Weisman.  Weisman is a longtime supporter of AmeriCares and became a board member in 2003.  His contribution to the AmeriCares Free Clinics includes a multi-year grant for Bridgeport and the purchase of the mobile medical unit, which has served the local community for nearly a decade.   Weisman's impact extends well beyond financial support, as he played an active role in designing the mobile medical unit and in facilitating the construction of this new location. 
 
"We are extremely grateful to Fred for his loyalty and commitment to AmeriCares and the AmeriCares Free Clinics over the years," says AmeriCares President and CEO Curt Welling.  "Fred has always offered his help on many levels and as a result has made a tremendous impact on the people of Bridgeport."

AmeriCares Free Clinics of Bridgeport has been providing free health care to the uninsured by operating from the mobile medical unit since 2003.  The new permanent location in Bridgeport features five examination rooms, and as a result will be able to expand its operations.            

"We are thrilled to open this state-of-the-art medical clinic in Bridgeport," says Karen Gottlieb, executive director of the AmeriCares Free Clinic.  "The AmeriCares Free Clinic of Bridgeport already provides critical health care services for many in the community, and this new location will allow us to extend our hours and treat many more patients"
 
Since opening in 2003, the AmeriCares Free Clinic of Bridgeport has provided health care services valued at over $2.7 million to more than 1,200 city residents.  Providing general medical services to people 18 and older, as well as a specialty clinic for patients with chronic medical conditions, the clinic also has access to prescribed laboratory/diagnostic testing through partnerships with 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 partnerships allow the clinic to provide services to patients who cannot afford needed medical care because they lack health insurance.  Delaying or not receiving treatment can lead to more serious illnesses and even hospitalization for conditions that could have been avoided had the patient received preventative and/or ongoing care. 

In addition to the location in Bridgeport, AmeriCares Free Clinics also has locations that serve the uninsured in Danbury and Norwalk.  For more information, visit the web site at www.americaresfreeclinics.org or call 1-800-26-CARES.