About the People’s Health & Wellness Clinic

The People’s Health & Wellness Clinic (PHWC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing free, high-quality health care to Central Vermonters who are uninsured or unable to afford care. Founded in 1993 by a group of physicians who wanted to give back after long careers in medicine, the clinic was created to meet a growing need in the community for compassionate, accessible care—regardless of a person’s ability to pay.

PHWC operates using a hybrid model that combines a small core staff—currently five employees equating to about three full-time positions—with a dedicated team of over 30 volunteer medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, mental health providers, and other specialists. This volunteer-supported approach allows the clinic to extend its impact far beyond what its staff alone could achieve.

As a federally designated free clinic, PHWC is prohibited by law from charging patients, billing insurance companies, or receiving reimbursement from Medicaid or Medicare. All services are provided entirely free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, donors, and grant funders who make our work possible.

For more than 30 years, PHWC has been proud to serve as a vital safety net for those who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the health care system—delivering care with dignity, respect, and a deep commitment to health equity.

Mission

People’s Health & Wellness Clinic offers free essential health care to adults who do not have adequate health insurance.

VISION

At People’s Health & Wellness Clinic we look forward to a day when everyone has full access to appropriate, comprehensive, affordable, and high quality health care

VALUES

Our work reflects our values. In everything we do, we work together to:

INCLUDE everyone in ways that meet their needs. Hear and RESPECT the voice of the patient, the staff, the volunteer, and other members of the community. Show COMPASSION and withhold judgment. Achieve EXCELLENCE in the care we provide. ADVOCATE for those who are in need.

Vermont’s Free & Referral Clinics (VFRC)

PHWC is proud to be one of eight clinics supported by Vermont’s Free & Referral Clinics (VFRC), a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 (formerly the Vermont Coalition of Clinics for the Uninsured). VFRC works to expand access to care for uninsured, underinsured, low-income, and underserved Vermonters. In addition to the People’s Health & Wellness Clinic in Barre, the VFRC network includes:

  • Dr. G. Richard Dundas Free Clinic – Bennington (medical)

  • Good Neighbor Health Clinic & Red Logan Dental – White River Junction (medical & dental)

  • Health Connections at Gifford – Randolph (referral services)

  • Open Door Clinic – Middlebury (medical & dental)

  • Rutland County Health Partners – Rutland (medical & dental)

  • Valley Health Connections – Springfield (referral services)

  • Windsor Community Health Clinic at Mt. Ascutney – Windsor (referral services)

Together, these clinics form a coordinated network delivering essential free services, including medical and dental care, case management, insurance enrollment assistance, and support addressing social determinants of health—ensuring no Vermonter is left without help

National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC)

The People’s Health & Wellness Clinic is a proud member of the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC), the leading national voice promoting quality, affordable health care for medically underserved populations. As part of this network, PHWC is committed to the NAFC’s mission of building a healthy America—one patient at a time.

In recognition of our dedication to high standards of care, PHWC earned a Gold Rating in 2020-2024 from the NAFC Quality Standards Program. This top-tier designation reflects our clinic’s commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient we serve.