Bethlehem Lutheran: Essential Health Clinic

Essential Health Clinic

Bethlehem provides meals for Essential Health Clinic, in Hillsboro, every 4th Thursday evening. Sandra Seim recruits 3 volunteers each month to provide a meal for 25-30 people. The meals consist of a main dish that serves 30 (a crock pot meal ) , salad, dessert. Call Sandra with your desire to volunteer for one time a year, 503-681-0350. Having people call her saves her the time of calling others. Fifteen more volunteers are needed to complete the year. You provide the meal, deliver it, and pick up your serving containers the next day. We do not stay to serve the food. It is a rewarding way to serve your community.

Our Mission Statement

The Essential Health Clinic improves health in Washington County through collaborative efforts of community partners and volunteers by providing high quality urgent care and access to healthcare services for those with the fewest resources and the greatest barriers to care.

The Essential Health Clinic (EHC) is the only facility offering free urgent health care to uninsured individuals and families in Washington County. We accept walk-in patients Monday and Thursday evenings in Hillsboro and provide medical services free of charge to appropriate clients. Volunteer time and donations of money, lab service, and pharmaceuticals keep the clinic in operation.

Each week a minimum of 40-50 volunteers operate our two clinics. Average seen patients are 284 with about 64 more receiving medical advice or referral information each month. Our volunteers include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, medical assistants, and clerical personnel. Volunteer interpreters help to provide clear communication during the administrative process and medical examinations. The team also includes students from Pacific University School of Physician Assistant Studies and Oregon Health and Science University.

Project Access Washington County (PAWC) is a program of Essential Health Clinic. PAWC is a nationally replicated model that coordinates a network of physicians who donate time and services to low-income, uninsured individuals.

Because so many of our volunteers come to the clinic directly from work, we always provide the evening meal. These meals are donated by several churches, restaurants, and individuals.

Also, please visit our website at www.essentialhealthclinic.org