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nurse on left in white lab coat stand with arm around patient in an examination room

About Americares Free Clinics

The mission of the Americares Free Clinics is to provide quality health care to low-income, uninsured patients in a setting where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

Americares founder Bob Macauley opened our first clinic in 1994 to expand access to care for the working poor

Over the years, our program has grown to become the largest free clinic network in the state with four locations serving nearly 2,000 patients annually. Today, our clinics in Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford are a lifeline for low-income uninsured residents from across Fairfield County.

We care for patients with diabetes, hypertension, asthma and other chronic conditions, as well as provide treatment for minor injuries and sudden illnesses like the flu. Without our services, many would rely on emergency rooms for primary care services – or worse – delay care until they have a medical emergency. Over the years, 28,000 of our neighbors in need have received free health care services valued at $141 million from our clinics and community partners.

Supported by local philanthropy, our clinics are an example of a community coming together to help patients in need.

Our clinics are supported by volunteer doctors, nurses, interpreters and administrative help, and draw on the resources of community hospitals, laboratories, specialists and pharmacies to ensure comprehensive outpatient care. Patients receive essential prescription medications at little or no charge through Patient Assistance Programs, donated medicines and our relationships with local pharmacies.

Americares Free Clinics is a member of the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics and licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Clinic Staff

Karen Gottlieb

Karen Gottlieb

Executive Director, Free Clinics

Karen Gottlieb joined Americares in 1994 and started the organization’s first free clinic in Norwalk, Conn., to meet the growing health care needs of the state’s uninsured.  


Boehringer Ingelheim 
Americares Free Clinic of Danbury

Dina Valenti
 RN, Clinic Director

Bob Macauley Americares Free Clinic of Norwalk

Maria Plank
 RN, Clinic Director

Fred Weisman Americares Free Clinic of Bridgeport

Karitza Melendez
 RN, Clinic Director

Americares Free Clinic of Stamford

Muguette Maignan
RN, Clinic Director

Board Members

Christine Squires

Christine Squires

Americares President and Chief Executive Officer

Jeff Becker

Jeffrey T. Becker

Chair of the Board, Americares Free Clinics and Chairman and CEO, Jennison Associates LLC

Karen Gottlieb

Karen Gottlieb

Executive Director, Americares Free Clinics

Elizabeth Allen

Elizabeth Allen

Chairman of the Board, Guideposts

Carol B. Bauer

Former Chairman, Norwalk Hospital Board of Trustees

Ronald E. Coursey

Executive Vice President, eMed Digital Healthcare

Catalina Horak, Building One Community Founder and Executive Director

Catalina Horak

Former Founding Executive Director, Building One Community

Jane Musky headshot

Jane Musky

Production Designer

Jay Sandak, partner at the law firm Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey

Jay Sandak

Partner at the law firm Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey

Stephen Winter, MD

Clinical Professor of Medicine (Emeritus), Yale University and Senior Advisor for Global Health, NUVANCE Health

Clinic Financials

Serving Connecticut

since 1994

28,000

patients treated

$141 million

in health services

More than 40

active volunteers