West Plains Christian Clinic

In late August 2009, about a dozen people met to explore the possibility of starting a free health clinic for the working, low income residents of the West Plains community and surrounding area.  On October 18th an open forum was held at the First United Methodist Church with Dr. Paul Wilbur from Mountain Home, Arkansas as the main speaker. Dr. Wilbur founded the Mountain Home Christian Clinic and also assisted about 9 other groups in Arkansas develop operational health clinics.  The purpose of the forum was to determine whether the West Plains community would support a free health clinic and answer any related questions.  Based upon the response at the forum and the number of people that signed up to volunteer, it was decided that a health clinic should be pursued.

The vision of the West Plains Christian Clinic as proposed by Pastor Mark Mildren and Reverend David Burge was to provide free emotional, spiritual and medical care to West Plains area residents who lack the income or insurance support to access such care.  They wanted this care to be provided in an atmosphere of Christian compassion without regard to race, ethnic origin, sex, creed, age or religion.  It was not intended to provide service to anyone with insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans Health Benefits.  “Our goal is to target low income, uninsured workers. Unfortunately, the clinic will be forced to limit patients seen by the number of volunteers and donations received.”

November, 2009 the West Plains Christian Clinic was officially incorporated and on April, 2010 was approved as a 501c3 nonprofit organization by the IRS.  July 8, 2010 West Plains Christian Clinic opened the doors for its first medical clinic. The clinic is staffed entirely by volunteers with the exception of a two-year non-government grant for the Executive Director's position.  This allows 100% of all donations to go directly towards the operation of the Clinic and the needs of the patients.