WHITE RIVER VALLEY — The Northwest Arkansas Free Health Center celebrated its expanded hours of service Wednesday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house.

“We’re now open on Mondays from noon to 4 p.m.,” said John Moores, the center’s development director. “The extended hours of service were made possible through private donationsmade by individuals, foundations and corporations.”

Other hours of operation for the health center include 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1-8 p.m. Thursdays and 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays.

Located at 10 S. College Ave. in Fayetteville, the free health center operates using volunteer physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, technicians and lay people, coordinated by a small paid staff. It has 60 medical professional volunteers and 30 lay volunteers, many of whom are pre-med, pre-dental, and prepharmacy students.

According to Moores, the center serves people who reside in Washington County.

Last year, he said, more than 12,000 patient visits were made to the health center.

“With the economy the way it is, we’re definitely seeing an increase in patients,” he said. “Our goal for next year is to addanother four hours of service to Monday.”

Governed by a volunteer board of directors, the center serves patients with no health insurance and whose level of income doesn’t exceed 200 percent above the federal poverty level.

The center provides clinics for dental hygiene, women, dermatology and physical therapy. Medical clinics are available four times per week and dental clinics are open one to two times per week.

News, Pages 2 on 11/04/2009

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