About Us
The Trinity Free Clinic mission remains the same as when we first opened our doors in 2000 — to provide free high-quality medical, dental, and health services to the uninsured, underinsured, and low-income residents of Hamilton County with the assistance of a professional, dedicated staff and group of volunteers. We believe everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Our volunteers and staff make that happen by providing professional, patient-centered care. Since its founding, Trinity has provided care to more than 100,000 neighbors in need, serving as the largest provider of free health services in Central Indiana.
Why does Hamilton County need a free clinic?
Despite its affluent reputation, more than 16,000 Hamilton County residents live below the Federal Poverty Level. An additional 20,800 households have an income above the poverty level but below the minimum survivability level for Hamilton County. Trinity provides a medical and dental safety net for these underserved members of our community.
Who is the typical Trinity Free Clinic patient?
The typical Trinity patient comes from a family of four with an average household income of $25,500 earned by working two or more part-time jobs in a service industry. These individuals depend on hourly wages and cannot afford to miss work for appointments. About 35% of our patients live in Noblesville, 25% in Carmel, 20% in Westfield, 17% in Fishers, with the remaining spread across Hamilton County.
How does this impact Hamilton County at large?
Data from February 2021 indicates there are approximately 10,000 more unemployed residents in Hamilton County than before COVID-19. Our patients live in every zip code of the county, and each is integral to their family and our community. Our impact can be felt in these homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and children’s schools.
Our History
Trinity Free Clinic began with a call-out from the pastor Father Richard Doerr. He asked for medical volunteers to provide care to refugees who had recently settled in Carmel after fleeing religious persecution in their home countries. He had hoped for a dozen volunteers, but his call brought more than 100 volunteers to serve.
In October 2000, these volunteers started a small walk-in clinic in the classrooms and library of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, primarily providing vaccines for children and treating minor illnesses. By 2002, the need for services had increased, and the clinic moved to a larger space in a renovated convent. In 2011, Trinity moved to its current home in the Matthew 25 Center on the border of Carmel and Westfield.
Since opening our doors in 2000, Trinity has grown to meet the needs of our patients by providing comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care in a safe and comfortable healthcare environment. Our facilities, equipment, programs, and staff are equipped to provide high-quality medical and dental care at a rate of 1,000 patients per month. We currently serve around 600 patients a month.
With the recent pandemic and resulting increase in unemployment, Trinity’s free services are needed more than ever. In addition to losing jobs, many Hamilton County residents have lost their health insurance as well. We are positioned to respond to this increased need.
Trinity Free Clinic has become a trusted place where uninsured and unemployed patients receive compassionate, quality medical care. By providing free, volunteer-driven medical and dental care, we help create healthier workers, healthier homes, and a healthier community.
Together, we can work towards health equity, ensuring our neighbors in need have access to high-quality healthcare so they can continue to be productive members of our community.
Trinity in the News
Meet Our Board of Directors
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TFC Board Chair
Kristen M. Edwards, MBA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Associate Vice President of Operations, Radiology Partners
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Board Vice Chair
Kristen Koning, MA Biostatistics
Director of Analytics, Ascension
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TFC Board Chair Emeritus
Dan LaReau, BS IE, MBA, FACHE
CEO, Mid America Clinical Laboratories
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TFC Medical Director
Ben Huang, DO MPH FACOEP
Professor of Emergency Medicine, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
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TFC Dental Director
Alex Titus, DDS
Principal, Titus Dentistry
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TFC Board Treasurer
Charles Naber, CPA
Principal, Somerset CPAs, P.C.
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TFC Board Secretary
Matt Ciulla
Attorney, MacGill PC
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Board Member
Boris Antonio Castro, PhD, MBA
Biotechnology and Agricultural Economics, Corteva Agriscience
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Board Member
Sharon Annee
Administrative Director of Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Franciscan Health Central Indiana
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Board Member
Nikki Swiney, RN MBA FACHE
Vice President,
Riverview Health Physicians -
Board Member
Fr. Dan Gartland, MDiv.
Sr. Associate Pastor,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel -
Board Member
Andrea Alarcon West, PA-C
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Board Member
Noha Zaki
Digital Solutions Program Manager, Allied Solutions LLC
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Board Member
Carrie Wing
Chief Nursing Officer, IU Health
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Board Member
Mel Wischmeyer, MBA, MNA Fellow
Executive Director, Trinity Free Clinic
Our Guiding Principles
We believe in high-quality healthcare that is compassionate, caring, and unceasing.
Our guiding principles support this belief:
RESPECT
Fostering a workplace and healthcare environment of mutual respect among patients, staff, and volunteers that is welcoming and accepting of all people.
COMPASSION
Providing hope and care while recognizing and affirming the dignity of each person.
TRANSPARENCY
Operating with honesty and openness in operations and finances.
QUALITY CARE
Striving to deliver high quality care and positive outcomes with compassion, innovation, and integrity.
COOPERATION
Creating a culture of support, collaboration, and trust among staff, patients, providers and volunteers in a positive and purposeful environment.
STEWARDSHIP
Maximizing the resources of the clinic to provide the highest quality of healthcare possible in a safe and supportive environment.
GRATITUDE
Acknowledging that all we accomplish is possible only through the generosity of our donors, community partners, caring volunteers, and a shared belief in our mission.