Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M. gathered at the Free Medical Clinic (FMC) of Iowa City, and Mark Patton introduced Jennie Schmidt, its Executive Director. The FMC is the second longest operating free medical clinic in the United States. It moved to its current building in 2006. The FMC provides free medical and dental services to primarily low income Johnson County residents through its medical and dental clinics. Its facilities include a medication dispensary, an on-site laboratory, 6 medical exam rooms, and 2 dental operatories plus administrative offices. Demand is growing and expected to increase due to the end of Medicaid expansion. The FMC is undergoing a phased renovation plan to make its facilities more accessible, usable, welcome, and energy efficient (through a solar project, which Rotary has supported). Dr. Cecilia Norris, the FMC Medical Director spoke about grants, vital community partnerships, and the need for donations and services to support patients. In 2022, 1,448 individuals were helped, and 98% of patients are uninsured or underinsured. The FMC relies on volunteer help and could use more volunteers such as dentists. The FMC is premised on the belief that "access to health care is a basic human necessity and right."
The FMC will be celebrating 50+ years on June 1, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Clinic at 2440 Towncrest in Iowa City. The public is welcome, and there will be a free-will donation with Maggie's Farm pizza and live music with a short program at 6:00 p.m.
President Jenny Seylar called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. She thanked those members who provided meals to Alta. Deb Ockenfels provided an update on the Flight to End Polio. Pilots John and Peter are almost in the Netherlands. Their flight can be watched on FlightAware. Jenny also announced the year end party is at Ann Romanowski's house on June 28. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 a.m. and members who were able to stay were offered a tour of the FMC.