Carle Illinois College of Medicine physician innovators are working with Avicenna's Women's Health Clinic to bridge care gaps in the local community with free obstetrics and gynecological care to patients who may lack access to adequate care. Avicenna’s new Women’s Health Clinic is the first completely free clinic of its kind in Urbana-Champaign, providing care for underinsured and uninsured women in Champaign County and a new volunteer opportunity for CI MED students.
“Offering these free services on the weekend makes health care accessible when it is needed the most,” said Women’s Health Clinic Co-director Billianne Schultz. The Avicenna student-run clinic is caring for women who may have limited options in partnership with Drs. Christine Chien (CI MED Class of 2023) and Ifeanyirochukwu Opoku, the clinic’s first OB/GYN physician.
The clinic offers a range of services, including well-women's health check-ups, gynecological evaluations, family planning, breast exams, cervical cancer screening, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections.
Schultz and Puskar say a key component of the clinic’s success will be community outreach, including providing educational materials and events throughout the community. “This holistic approach ensures that women not only have access to essential health care services but also gain valuable knowledge about women's health,” Schultz explained.
The clinic was launched in early December and is now open one weekend a month. Schultz and Co-Director Anessa Puskar plan to expand the clinic’s impact in the future, with more physicians and more scheduled days for patient visits. “We are grateful for our medical student colleagues who have volunteered to make this clinic possible,” Schultz said.
Information on how to make an appointment, the full range of services, and upcoming Women’s Health Clinic dates is available on the Avicenna website.
The Avicenna Health Center is a community volunteer opportunity for CI MED students. The Carle Illinois College of Medicine encourages its students to engage in their communities independent of their academic programs. The College shares information about these efforts but does not sponsor or endorse them.