JayDoc Free Clinic Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

Jan 28, 2009

For the past five years, the Jaydoc Free Clinic has provided crucial health care for the medically underserved in Kansas City, Kan., as the only student-run and -governed clinic in the country. With the donated hours of 300 medical students and 65 volunteer physicians, the clinic is able to serve more than 2,300 patients a year regardless of proof of insurance or income.

In honor of its fifth anniversary, and to raise essential funds for its continued operation, the JayDoc Free Clinic will host its annual benefit concert, "JayRock 4," on February 5 at the Uptown Theater.

The benefit concert serves as the primary fundraising event for JayDoc, which depends entirely on outside contributions. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door of the 6:30 p.m. concert.

"The ticket prices are low so that anyone of any age and means can feel like they are contributing," Laurel Witt, second-year medical student and co-executive director of JayDoc, said. "Fifteen dollars will cover the costs of a whole acute care visit or a whole prenatal visit, so people will truly know the impact of their donations."

JayDoc Free Clinic has experienced tremendous growth in its first five years. The clinic has been able to maintain high levels of patient care while helping educate and train the doctors of tomorrow. JayDoc volunteers are quick to note the generosity of local physicians, whose expertise and donations of time have proven invaluable to the clinic's operations.

Future expansion will be difficult in economically perilous times, but the clinic's staff is confident about prospects for growth.

"In the next five years, our goals include reorganizing safety net clinics, expanding our volunteer base, and serving more patients," Witt said. The clinic is currently open Monday and Wednesday evenings, with special services in obstetrics and physical therapy offered on Tuesday nights.