September 25, 2023 – West Bend, WI – Albrecht Free Clinic is shifting care and operations to Lakeshore Community Health Care in January 2024.
Organizers say the change means a more consistent, streamlined care for patients.
All services will continue to be provided at the same location at 908 W Washington St. in West Bend.
Founded in 1996 by Dr. James E. Albrecht, Albrecht Free Clinic has provided free medical and dental care to uninsured and underinsured patients in Washington County through a volunteer staff of doctors, nurses, and dentists. However, a shortage of volunteers intensified by COVID-19 raised concerns about the clinic’s ability to sustain care long-term.
In September 2022, dental services were transitioned from Albrecht Free Clinic to Lakeshore Community Health Care. Since then, they’ve seen success in their ability to care for more patients. With this new transition, Lakeshore will also continue all medical care and provide additional mental health and pharmacy services starting January 1, 2024.
“We are deeply grateful to our volunteers for their years of generous service. Our community is healthier because of their incredible contributions.” said Ruth Henkle, Albrecht Free Clinic’s executive director. “Lakeshore Community Health Care impressed us with their dental program and they will continue Dr. Albrecht’s mission of caring for our community’s most vulnerable.”
Lakeshore Community Health Care serves anyone in the community, with a focus on patients at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, including uninsured and those with insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. The transition will provide Albrecht’s patients with access to comprehensive, integrated care.
“We are committed to carrying on Dr. Albrecht’s legacy of compassionate care,” said Lakeshore CEO Kristin Stearns. “This transition will help expand our capacity to serve people in need throughout Washington County.”
Once the transition is complete, the Albrecht Free Clinic will become Lakeshore Community Health Care. More details will be announced in coming months.
On a history note: The Albrecht Clinic used to be located in the lower level of the old St. Joseph’s Hospital building/ Spaulding Clinical. It moved to a standalone building on Highway 33 in 2015.
The Albrecht Free Clinic relocated more thank 8 years ago from its home on Oak Street in the lower level of Spaulding Clinical to the former Verre Young Eye Clinic, 908 W. Washington Street.
“It was one of those things where, we’re never sure where we’re going to be,” Jim Strachota, executive director of the Albrecht Free Clinic said. “We’ve been in existence 19 years and have never actually owned a property; we’ve just been lease to lease.”
Since its inception in 1996 the Albrecht Free Clinic has moved to several locations and lived from short-term lease to short-term lease.
The clinic has been on Oak Street since 2010 and earlier this year as Strachota was set to approach Spaulding Clinical CEO Randy Spaulding for a long-term agreement Spaulding notified the Albrecht Clinic that its space was needed for expansion.
“This came as a surprise to both the board and myself as we were preparing to start renovation for dental services,” Strachota said. “Fortunately the stars were aligned and the spirit of Dr. Albrecht directed us to a new site. Not only was this property currently available but for sale at a price we could afford.”
On June 18 an offer to purchase the property on W. Washington Street was accepted. “For the first time in our 19-year history, we have a place we can call our own,” Strachota said. “This location really fits our need and if everything goes according to plan we will have three full medical rooms and three full dental rooms.”
Strachota said the location of the building “will really be ideal” because W. Washington Street has a high-visibility factor. “It just really feels good and the size fits the community need,” he said of the 3,000-square-foot building.