July 31. To commemorate its 19th anniversary, the Lake Norman Community Health Clinic is holding a fundraiser that plays off its founding in 1998. The clinic is looking for 98 donors to contribute $98 each. The goal, according to Lynn McRae, development director, is to raise
$9,600 by Sept. 4.
The clinic, founded by Dr. David Cook of Lakeside Family Physicians, has helped uninsured Lake Norman area citizens get necessary medical services for little to no cost. The clinic’s humble origins date back to 1998. That year, Cook began seeing four to five uninsured patients on Wednesday nights in the back of a grocery store for no cost. This soon ballooned to 20-30 patients per evening, catching the eye of multiple local churches.
First Baptist Church of Huntersville, Davidson United Methodist Church, St. Mark Catholic Church and Meadowlake Presbyterian Church were early partners. The clinic’s opening night Sept. 4, 2001 attracted over 100 patients.
Today, the clinic is the oldest and largest medical provider serving the uninsured in North Mecklenburg and South Iredell counties.
The clinic’s mission is critical, as patients who don’t qualify for Affordable Care Act subsidies or Medicaid comprise roughly 14 percent of the Lake Norman community. Patients are asked to donate $15 to offset expenses, but are never turned away if they can’t pay.
Located at 14230 Hunters Road in Huntersville, tThe clinic is open five days a week with an evening clinic on Wednesdays. LNCHC focuses on prevention and treatment of disease and managing healthy outcomes for approximately 1,500 patients yearly, leveraging partnerships with Novant Health, Carolinas Healthcare System and local physicians to provide continuity of care.
More info: Lynn McRae 704-316-6611 or email at lmcrae@lnchc.org
