Western Tidewater Free Clinic

Like many patients at Western Tidewater Free Clinic, Denise* was having to choose what to spend her income on: food, rent, electricity or health care to manage her diabetes. Her choice was not her health. Denise’s previous physician was unable to provide her with the insulin she desperately needed and she couldn’t afford it herself. She ended up in the hospital with complications from her unmanaged diabetes. Upon her discharge from Sentara Obici Hospital, a nurse scheduled her a follow-up appointment with WTFC - the rest is history.

Denise says she gets the best care possible at WTFC. Her diabetes has been well-managed as have her other health issues that developed from lack of access to healthcare. Currently she requires 14 different medications for her multiple chronic illnesses, which are free. However, Denise donates towards her prescriptions when she can. Due to her complicated medical history, Denise has utilized the Clinic’s medical, dental and pharmacy services and has also been referred to a specialist for diabetes management. She has also been referred to one of our local ophthalmology partners, Virginia Eye Consultants, due to her diabetic retinopathy which can lead to blindness if untreated.

Denise could not be happier as a patient at the Clinic and had one thing to say, “Never give up on your health due to not being able to afford it, because there are people out there that truly care and will help you like Western Tidewater Free Clinic.”

*Name has been changed to protect patient privacy.

Who We Are

The mission of Western Tidewater Free Clinic is to provide high-quality, non-emergency health care to the residents of Western Tidewater who cannot otherwise afford it. We serve uninsured, underinsured and underserved residents of Suffolk, Franklin, and Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex counties, age 18 or older with a household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Western Tidewater Free Clinic, Inc. (WTFC) was founded in June of 2007 to meet the region’s growing need to provide quality medical services to those most in need. A true 'grass roots' effort, the Western Tidewater Free Clinic Steering Committee was established in 2004 when members of the Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community and other concerned citizens joined together in an effort to improve the lives of the uninsured and create a stronger, more caring, and healthier community. Their vision: a healthy community where all people will be inspired and enabled to make healthy lifestyle choices, to use preventive health care, and to access resources to live in a safe and wholesome environment.

After several years of planning, the Clinic opened on June 21, 2007 in a small rental house on Godwin Boulevard as the only free clinic within its 1,400 square mile Western Tidewater service area. Since then, the Clinic has expanded to serve 2,200 square miles, which includes Suffolk, Franklin, and Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex counties. WTFC has grown rapidly to meet the need for accessible health services in the region and has been identified by the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics as one of the fastest growing free and charitable clinics in the region.

In 2009, WTFC relocated to its current location at 2019 Meade Parkway. Our clinical staff and volunteers proudly continue to serve our patients with primary medical care, women’s health services, dental and vision services, mental health care, case management, laboratory and diagnostic testing, prescription medications, and access to hospitals and specialists through clinical partnerships. Patient education is also an integral part of the services offered at WTFC. Health care providers partner with patients in managing their illnesses through on-going patient education and group counseling sessions on disease management.

The core values of Western Tidewater Free Clinic are excellence, unity of purpose, respect, diversity, integrity, and stewardship of all resources. Thank you to our community partners, volunteers, and donors who have supported our values and helped make our vision a reality in providing a health home to our patients.