For Immediate Release
Jan. 11, 2007                                                              

WHITMAN-WALKER CLINICAND WASHINGTON FREE CLINIC ANNOUNCE ‘NEW DAY FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN D.C.’

Clinics Join Forces To Build Model of Health Care for the Future

WASHINGTON - Officials of two of the oldest and most respected health care clinics in the city announced a plan today that marks what they called “a new day for primary health care in the District of Columbia.”
Under the plan:

“The Washington Free Clinic will bring its primary care expertise and longstanding commitment to caring for District residents regardless of their ability to pay to Whitman-Walker Clinic,” said Gardiner Lapham, board chair of the Free Clinic.

 “Whitman-Walker Clinic is proud to join forces with such an important community institution as the Washington Free Clinic,” said Donald Blanchon, Whitman-Walker’s chief executive officer. “This important development allows us to realize our strategic objective to become the highest quality community health center in the metropolitan Washington area serving the medically underserved; the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; and people living with HIV/AIDS.”

Today’s announcement is another step toward expanding primary health care at Whitman-Walker Clinic. That objective was approved by Whitman-Walker’s board of directors in 2005 to ensure the Clinic’s long-term viability and meet the Clinic’s historic commitment of caring for the LGBT community and people living with HIV/AIDS.          
 
“Since its inception in 1968, the Washington Free Clinic’s strength has been providing high quality and compassionate medical care to marginalized populations, especially the poor,” Lapham added. “Today’s administratively burdensome health care environment has forced us to seek out a new, more financially viable model for fulfilling our mission. Much as we hate to see the Clinic close, this collaboration with Whitman-Walker provides our staff and volunteers with the infrastructure they require to succeed and ensures our patients unbroken access to comprehensive care. We are confident that Whitman-Walker shares our commitment to treating individuals regardless of their ability to pay, as well as our spirit of community care.”

City officials and health care leaders voiced strong support for the plan.

“I am excited to see such collaboration between two important community-based clinics, which will strengthen the District’s primary care network for the medically underserved,” said Dr. Gregg Pane, director of the D.C. Department of Health. “This development puts Whitman-Walker at the forefront of integrating primary care into HIV/AIDS care.”

D.C. Councilman David Catania, who chairs the D.C. Council’s Health Committee, said: “This plan will result in a stronger Whitman-Walker Clinic with an enhanced ability to serve its core constituency. At the same time, it ensures that the Washington Free Clinic’s clients receive the same quality, compassionate care without interruption. This is a win-win for community-based health care in our city.”

D.C. Councilman Jim Graham, who is a former executive director of Whitman-Walker Clinic and whose Ward 1 includes the Free Clinic, called the development “a historic step in the evolution of Whitman-Walker Clinic and health care in our city.”

“Both institutions have a rich history of caring for our neediest residents,” Graham said. “This integration will help ensure that Whitman-Walker Clinic evolves to best serve the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities in our city.”

Sharon Baskerville, executive director of the DC Primary Care Association, agreed. “In the tradition of D.C. Medical Homes, this plan consolidates the skills and abilities of some of our city’s most dedicated and skilled medical providers to build a true health care home for our citizens – especially those who might otherwise lack medical care.”

The Washington Free Clinic and Whitman-Walker Clinic share an important history. The Washington Free Clinic, established in 1968, is the oldest free health clinic on the East Coast. In 1973, when the Washington Free Clinic was operating out of the basement of the Georgetown Lutheran Church, it launched the Gay Men’s VD Clinic. In 1977,  the Gay Men’s VD Clinic moved to a new location and, one year later, was formerly incorporated as Whitman-Walker Clinic.           

The Washington Free Clinic provides primary care, including pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, general medicine and HIV/AIDS care to 1,800 individuals regardless of their ability to pay. The Clinic is currently housed at St. Stephen’s and the Incarnation Church at the corner of 16th and Newton Streets, N.W. The Washington Free Clinic’s annual operating budget is approximately $1 million. 

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