ABOUT THE FREE CLINC
OUR MISSION
The Free Clinic of Meridian, Inc. in collaboration with strategic partners, provides free quality medical care and referral services with compassion and dignity to the uninsured adults in our community.
OUR VISION
The Vision of the Free Clinic of Meridian is two-fold: first, to provide for the medical needs of the uninsured adults in a seven county area, and secondly, to help reduce the non-emergency use of area Emergency Rooms.
OUR CORE VALUES
Compassionate, Dignified Care — We provide free, high-quality medical care with compassion, dignity, and respect for the uninsured adults we serve. We honor each person’s beliefs, lived experiences, and individuality, creating a safe and welcoming environment where patients feel valued, heard, and supported. Through professionalism, kindness, and trust, we promote healing and hope in every interaction.
Improved Access & Inclusion —We are committed to removing barriers to healthcare so uninsured adults can access the care they need. While services are provided free of charge, eligibility is determined through a respectful and confidential application review process that assesses financial status to ensure resources are allocated according to clinic policies. By offering accessible, culturally responsive services across the seven plus counties we serve, we promote access to medical care and referrals—aligned with individual patient needs supporting healthier communities.
Patient Partnership, Empowerment & Education — We believe the best health outcomes occur when patients are active partners in their care. Through clear communication, education, and shared decision-making, we empower individuals to understand their health, make informed choices, and take responsibility for their well-being. Through shared decision-making with patients, we promote prevention, long-term wellness, and appropriate use of healthcare resources.
Collaboration & Responsible Care Coordination — In collaboration with strategic partners, we coordinate care, referrals, and services that meet non-urgent and non-emergent medical needs. Through teamwork, community partnerships, and responsible care coordination, we help ensure patients receive care, improving outcomes while reducing preventable emergency room visits.
OUR HISTORY
The Free Clinic of Meridian opened in October 2014 to provide free medical care for uninsured adults in the East Mississippi/West Alabama area who earn less than 200% of the Federal Poverty level and are ineligible for Medicaid or Medicare. At the time, there were no free medical clinics in the area. A group of medical providers saw the need, recruited others from a variety of professions, and spent three years laying the groundwork for the Clinic. The Clinic was able to open due to the generosity of individual donors and grantors, local businesses, and the medical community in Lauderdale County. The Free Clinic of Meridian is housed in a clinic owned by Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center and receives lab services and other support from Ochsner Rush Health.
IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY
One of the clinic's goals is to provide free medical care as an alternative to using an Emergency Room for non-emergent conditions. Patients without access to primary care to manage chronic illnesses often delay treatment and arrive in the ER in a preventable crisis condition. Each year, a survey is conducted to compare how many times Free Clinic patients visited the ER versus the number of ER visits they had prior to becoming a Free Clinic patient. The 2023 survey indicated a 34% increase in patients who did not use the ER because of services received at the Free Clinic.
