Greater Killeen Free Clinic

Our Value:

Health Care Advocacy: We will be an open, unbiased advocate of health care that is valued by the community and meets the needs of clinic patients.

Accountability: We will develop a compassionate partnership with our patients that engender shared responsibility and mutual accountability.

Social Responsibility: We will be a transparent organization open to any and all, while being good stewards of the clinic’s resources.

Our Vision:

The vision of the Greater Killeen Free Clinic is to provide health services that offer a comprehensive approach toward health; to build innovative partnerships; and to become an advocate for those who have limited access to health care services.

Our History:

In 1993 a needs assessment of social service clients in Killeen showed that transportation and affordable medical care were their top needs. A task force was formed to create a free clinic for the Killeen area. Many community leaders, medical practitioners, and other concerned citizens brought the idea to fruition in less than a year. In November, 1994 the free clinic began its operations on a Thursday evening.

The board operated the clinic with a five hour per week clerical employee until January 1996 when an executive director was hired. In 1999, the clinic expanded its operations to two evenings a week. In 2002, the free clinic received its first Komen grant, and began holding two mammogram clinics a month. In November 2004, the clinic gave a reception honoring its 10 years of operation.

The free clinic faced the greatest challenge in its history with the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in September 2005. As the city of Killeen realized the numbers of evacuees in the community, we were called upon to set up a medical clinic at the Killeen Community Center shelter. The Clinical Director coordinated much of the care with the assistance of many physicians, nurses, medications from Scott & White’s pharmacy, In the two weeks the shelter clinic was open, over 1000 patients were treated.

The Greater Killeen Free Clinic, in coordination with the health district, added an additional clinic on Monday mornings during September and October 2005, specifically to provide medical services to evacuees, and appropriate referrals to other medical facilities. This was difficult, and could be done only on a short-term basis, because of the lack of space in the building. In two months, over 400 patients were treated or referred to other medical facilities.

The clinic received a $60,000 grant from National Association of Free Clinics in 2006 to provide medical case management to the over 600 Katrina families living in Killeen and surrounding towns. In June 2010, the Free Clinic received a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant from City of Killeen to renovate space in the Killeen Arts and Activities Center (formerly the First Baptist Church). The move into its beautiful new facility was made in November 2011.

The Clinic expanded its mission in 2014 to become a medical home for its patients. It added chronic care and chronic disease education, Well Women's Services, and targeted mental health services. Planning also has begun for a health promotion program, which will include Lunch n' Learn and The Walk Club. These activities will kick off in January 2015.