A free clinic in Oconomowoc is making a big difference in the lives of low-income and uninsured residents of Waukesha County. Lake Area Free Clinic, which offers medical and dental care, reached a significant milestone this month with its 100,000th patient visit.
According to Fox6Now, the clinic primarily serves the “working poor,” individuals who are employed but do not have access to health benefits.
One patient, Terry Lehman, shared his story of overcoming the fear and embarrassment of seeking care. Lehman, who initially struggled with high blood pressure and diabetes, found the support he needed at the clinic. “I knew it was here, but I didn’t want to come here because of embarrassment or something,” he told Fox6Now.
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Dr. Peter Geiss, who has worked at the clinic for nearly two decades, emphasized that the stigma associated with low-income healthcare should not exist. “There is a huge need, even in a relatively wealthy county,” he said. The clinic operates on approximately $2 million a year in donations and grants to continue serving patients.
Shawn, a 54-year-old patient at the clinic’s dental services, expressed gratitude for the care he received. His caretaker, Matt Garcia, noted, “I would say the service that he’s seen here has far outweighed most of the ones we’ve seen out in the public.”
With the continued support of the community, Lake Area Free Clinic remains dedicated to providing essential medical care for those in need. As Dr. Geiss stated, “We have a community that supports people in need. That’s a good thing.”
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