Doctors Without Walls is working to expand our Women’s Free Health Clinic (WFHC) to provide gynecological care to women in our community. The clinic currently provides services such as blood pressure checks and care for common illnesses, but many patients have not had access to routine wellness and cancer screenings. This new initiative will help bridge that gap by bringing essential women’s health services directly into a setting where patients already feel comfortable seeking care.
Under the leadership of Jorie Neilson, NP, who currently runs WFHC, collaborating with Dr. Lisa Lepine, OB-GYN MD formerly at Cottage Health, the clinic is preparing to offer Pap smears and breast exams to all women receiving care through WFHC. WFHC takes place at Transition House, a community center that supports families facing homelessness. It has served as a place to connect women in a safe environment. The goal is to begin offering these much needed expanded services in October, with gynecological clinics held one to two Fridays each month.
This expansion is especially important because many of the women we serve face significant barriers to preventive healthcare. Some are at increased risk for cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infections that may go undiagnosed, while others have never received a mammogram. Through this program, patients will have greater access to screenings for more preventative care.
The new gynecology clinic will use a portable examination table and supplies for Pap smears and biopsies, allowing providers to offer these services directly within the community. More than simply providing medical care, this initiative is about giving women access to preventive care, protecting their health, and supporting their right to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.
BY Alyssa Bindra, DWW Communications Volunteer
