About
Founded in 1986, as the Northwest Arkansas Free Health Center, the mission is to provide quality medical care, dental care, and instrumental support services in partnerships with other community resources to low income individuals regardless of their ability to pay. The clinic operates using volunteer physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, technicians, and lay volunteers, coordinated by a small paid staff and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
Services include general medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, pulmonology, endocrinology, mental health, physical therapy, diabetes and nutrition education, restorative and comprehensive dental care, prescription assistance programs and referrals. Patients come from a very diverse group—all age categories, genders, and ethnic backgrounds. Most of the Center’s current patients live in Washington County, although we proudly service Benton County residents too.
The Northwest Arkansas Free Health Center changed its name in 2015 to WelcomeHealth. The new name reflects the current population of patients we serve, which includes uninsured, underinsured and insured residents of Northwest Arkansas. Some patients have insurance, but they may not be able to afford co-pays or meet their deductibles. Many more do not have the privilege of having dental insurance, so our services are needed. All that meet income requirements are welcome at WelcomeHealth despite their insurance status or ability to pay.