Quick Facts about Equal Access
In the Beginning
In 1988, a motivated group of medical students saw a need and had a vision. Through clinical and field research, these students determined that Gainesville had large underserved population. This need for free healthcare added with an enthusiam at the medical school to form the idea behind the Equal Access Clinic. Dr. Watson, the senior associate dean for educational afairs, provided protocols and logisitics, including liability and financial resources. Once contacted, the Salvation Army was very receptive to the idea and offered the use of their buliding. After a location had been secured, the students wrote a letter to the Alumni Association requesting financial support. With the help of Dr. John Perchalski, Equal Access Clinic opened its doors in January of 1992. Since then, the clinic has expanded and moved into the office of the Family Practice Medical Group.
Clinic Roles
- Pre-meds: Take patient vitals, history, temperature, and weight
- 1st/2nd yrs: Work in clinical setting to practice using their knowledge
- 3rd/4th yrs: Give back to the community
Services
- Confidential HIV testing
- Women's health & Pediatrics
- Pregnancy tests and ultrasounds
- Dental/medical referrals
- Primary care
- Counseling
- Physicals
- Non-narcotic prescriptions and OTC Medications
- Physical Therapy Referrals
- Visual Acuity Screenings
Finances
- The clinic is supported year to year by the generous donations of both corporate and local companies and organizations
- The Equal Access 5K Run is the major fundraiser for the clinic
- The Clinic's operating expenses average over $13,000 a year
- The Premed volunteers raise over one-third of the funds required for the clinic
- The Clinic also receives funding from the UF Student Government and the UF Alumni Association
- North Florida clinics donate supplies in December
- Gainesville physicians donate supplies each Halloween