RotaCare Free Clinic - Bellevue

The healthcare volunteers of Bellevue RotaCare Free Clinic are
dedicated to helping children and adults of all ages.

RotaCare Free Clinic - Bellevue

RotaCare Free Clinic - Bellevue is a volunteer driven coalition of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, interpreters and administrators, all dedicated to serve the uninsured in our community. The Bellevue Clinic provides basic free medical care and medications to adults and children. Medical services include:

• Treatment of illness and minor injury
• Screening for high blood pressure and diabetes
• Referral for basic x-rays, bloodwork, and tests
• Basic medications related to the patient’s illness or minor injury
• Referral for special or ongoing medical care

Patient Referrals and Fees

The mission of RotaCare is to provide free medical care to those with the greatest need, and the least access to health care resources. Visits to the Bellevue RotaCare Free Clinic are free for those who have no health insurance and limited ability to pay for medical services. Patients may be seen one or two times for their medical care.

Basic medications are provided free for the patient’s illness or minor injury. Refills of these medications to treat a medical problem that continues will not be provided by RotaCare. Patients will be referred to another clinic which offers low cost or free care, or refills if there is a need to continue to see a doctor.

Basic x-rays, bloodwork, and tests that are donated to the Bellevue Clinic by other clinics are free. Tests that are not donated will not be ordered or paid for by RotaCare. Referrals will be provided to another clinic to get these tests, and patients can discuss the fees with them.

Bellevue RotaCare Clinic welcomes referrals from social services and community organizations for adults and children who have a need for free basic medical care and medications. We accept patient walk-ins during the Clinic hours, no appointment needed.

 

About RotaCare Free Clinic - Bellevue

The Bellevue RotaCare Free Clinic began in the basement of the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in 1996 after a year of planning. Today, approximately 75 volunteers rotate to staff the RotaCare Free Clinic, including 25 physicians and nurse practitioners.

Learn more about this community-focused organization:

• What is RotaCare?

  • RotaCare was founded in 1989, when a Family Physician in Santa Clara, California was asked to treat a homeless person. He did so, and asked his Rotary Club for financial assistance. Their support became a District Project. There are now approximately 15 RotaCare clinics in the Bay Area, one in Colorado and one in New York. Bellevue RotaCare was the first clinic to open in Washington, after a year of planning beginning in 1996. RotaCare International, Inc. is the parent corporation for regional RotaCare corporations that oversee the individual clinics. Regional corporations are directly responsible to state licensing agencies for the provision of quality medical care. They provide legal governance for clinics within their geographical area.

• Who runs the Bellevue RotaCare Clinic?

  • The RotaCare Puget Sound Board oversees the three RotaCare Free Clinics in Bellevue, Renton, and Lake City. An Administrative Council directs the day-to-day clinic operations. Ken Graham, a prior member of the Bellevue Rotary Club, was the First Executive Director of RotaCare International and brought the concept to Bellevue. Beginning in the basement of the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, the clinic moved in January 2000 to its current location at Hopelink Bellevue. A second clinic opened in Renton in 2003, a third in Lake City, and fourth in Tacoma (which operated until 2014), each supported by local Rotary Clubs.

• Who supports the Bellevue RotaCare Clinic?

  • The Bellevue Rotary Club provides financial support for the Bellevue RotaCare Clinic. Area medical sub-specialists and surgical specialists offer pro-bono consultations. Overlake Hospital Medical Center provides both lab and x-ray support. Washington Imaging and Bellevue Medical Imaging donate x-ray support. Currently the majority of the clinic’s cost goes to purchase medications for patients, which are billed to us at the DSHS level. Our annual cost is around $15,000, but if all volunteer services were purchased, it would cost about $300,000 per year!
    

• Who are the Bellevue RotaCare volunteers?

  • We appreciate the volunteers who support the clinic – now about 75. They include MDs, DOs, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Medical Assistants, Pharmacists, Translators, and Receptionists. An Administrative Council directs the day-to-day clinic operations, and the RotaCare Puget Sound Board oversees the RotaCare Free Clinic. The Clinic’s founding volunteers are William Grimes, MD, MS, Anne Grimes, RN, MN, and Bobbye Fortener who started in 1996. They were joined by Sandra Rice, MD, Kay Taylor, MD, Marlene Tuttle, Marilyn Petersen, RN, and Cletes Hicks, RN in 1997. Every year since, we are very fortunate to welcome many more dedicated volunteers.

• What is Rotary?

  • Rotary club members are business and professional leaders who volunteer in their communities and promote world understanding and peace. Rotary’s 31,000 clubs in more than 165 countries and regions encourage high ethical standards and carry out humanitarian projects to address such issues as poverty, health, hunger, education, and the environment. Through more than US$95 million in Rotary Foundation grants each year, Rotary clubs support community projects at home and abroad. Known as the world’s largest private provider of international education scholarships, The Rotary Foundation funds more than 1000 students annually to study overseas and act as cultural ambassadors. Rotary also partners with eight prestigious universities around the globe to educate midcareer professionals in peace and conflict resolution. Learn more about Rotary International.

• What is Rotary’s PolioPlus program?

  • PolioPlus is Rotary’s flagship program. Rotary club members will contribute US$600 million and countless volunteer hours to help immunize over two billion children against polio by Rotary centennial in 2005. Spearheading partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative include the World Health Organization, Rotary International, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF.

• Who is Rotary Club of Bellevue?

  • The Rotary Club of Bellevue is Bellevue’s largest Rotary Club, serving our community and the world since 1961. It is part of Rotary International, the world’s first service club organization, now in more than 166 countries worldwide, with more than 31,000 members. Rotary’s motto – Service Above Self – exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the organization’s more than 1.2 million members. Strong fellowship among Rotarians and meaningful community and international service projects characterize Rotary worldwide. The Rotary Club of Bellevue is united in the spirit of service – to the community; to individuals; to the world. Learn more about the Rotary Club of Bellevue.

The Bellevue RotaCare Free Clinic appreciates and welcomes the support of our community to help us provide free quality medical care to those in need.

For more information:

Email: info@BellevueRotaCare.org
Voicemail (checked weekly): 425-828-4304
Download a brochure