History of His Hands Clinic
Early Days: 1990s.
The initial motivation for a free clinic was a visit by Dr. Jim Bell to the 1991 meeting of the Christian Medical and Dental Society in Chicago, which focused on health care for the poor. His effort was enthusiastically joined by both hospitals and other interested parties. The Cedar Rapids Free Medical Clinic opened in May 1992 in space donated by The Jane Boyd Community Center. In the early days, clinic was open for three hours every other Monday night. As the need for free care became more evident, Dr. Ken Cearlock joined the clinic allowing it to be opened every Monday night. Numerous nurses, social workers, and pharmacists joined the effort.
Year after year the demands on the clinic increase. In 1996, The Cedar Rapids Free Medical Clinic was incorporated as His Hands Ministries and obtained non-profit status and a Board of Directors. Darlene Schmidt was hired as executive director to oversee the day-to-day operations. Extra clinics were added for primary care on Thursdays and then Tuesdays, as well as specialty clinics in gynecology, podiatry and general internal medicine. A prescription assistance program was started to address the needs for medications. The spiritual ministry team began a monthly dinner and worship service. The patient rosters continued to swell and in 2001 the clinic saw over 5000 patients.
In 2002 a search began for an alternate clinic site. During the search process, philosophical differences began to pull the Board of Directors in different directions. Those issues most prominent concerned the clinic's future adherence to the mission of the organization as a Christ-centered institution. In the end, a second free clinic was formed to meet the health care needs of Cedar Rapids.
A New Phase.
In January 2003, the Cedar Rapids Free Medical Clinic reopened its doors at 1043 3rd Avenue SE. Corina Tracy was hired as the new Clinic Director. Significant changes at the clinic in 2003 included the institution of scheduled appointments and solidification of the ministry with trained prayer support volunteers present to counsel and pray with patients during each clinic.
At the end of 2003, Corina Tracy relocated and Andi Doane was hired as the new Executive Director. In 2005, chiropractor services were added to help patients suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain. In 2006, the Board of Directors adopted a new logo and consolidated the organization's name to His Hands Free Medical Clinic.
In 2010, Andi Doane announced her upcoming relocation to Ohio, and the search began for a new Executive Director. The board decided to split her position into two and hired Sharon Patten as Executive Director and Cyndi Ziegler as Clinic Director.
That same year, His Hands Ministries received notice their rented building was going to be demolished as part of a larger building project in Cedar Rapids. In response, the Board of Directors sought out and purchased a new building (located at 400 12th Street SE) in which to relocate. In October 2010, they initiated the clinic's first capital campaign to pay for the costs of the building purchase and renovation.
Today.
Today, His Hands Ministries provides almost 2000 visits to approximately 650 medical and chiropractic patients. The ministry is ready to move into its new facility located at 400 12th Street SE in June 2011. Additionally, His Hands anticipates offering Dental Services in the fall of 2011.
As the health care needs in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding communities continue to rise, His Hands Ministries is prepared to meet those challenges.