The Good Neighbor Clinic is a 501c3 community-free clinic. The clinic was started in 1999 by Dr. Haakon Carlson, with the establishment of a Board of Directors. It opened to clients in November of that year with the support of local physicians and over 50 volunteers.
The clinic is staffed by professionals who volunteer their services to enable all to have access to healthcare. Our mission is to improve the health and lives of people who face financial, cultural, or language barriers that keep them from accessing quality healthcare. We serve the residents of Sauk Prairie and the surrounding community.
The clinic is staffed by volunteers who are physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, social workers, and interpreters. We have expanded to include a small number of paid staff as the clinic has grown. We have received generous ongoing in-kind support from Sauk Prairie Health System and three Sauk Prairie pharmacies over the years.
In 2017 the clinic began a partnership with the Community Activated Recovery Enhancement (CARE) program helping provide initial medical services to patients recovering from opiate addiction.
In 2019 the clinic saw 1717 patients. 1083 patients were seen during the first six months of 2020. During the 2nd half of 2020, the clinic needed to decrease services, managing our prescription assistance patients only until Covid vaccines were available for our volunteers. By February 2021, the clinic and its dedicated volunteers were back in business!
In 2021, the clinic expanded its services to include a diabetes nurse-patient educator. This will help us provide the needed education, support, and supplies to patients struggling with the control of their diabetes and help prevent future complications from this condition. Interpreters are available to assist with patient education. A total of 1929 patients were seen that year.
In 2022, 2546 patients received care through our medical or prescription assistance programs. We completed a patient satisfaction survey process and received very high marks. Patients were very grateful to have the clinic in our community.
We are supported by various organizations in the Sauk Prairie community and by the generous donations of individuals and available grants.
In 2023, the clinic received the Gold Rating from the Quality Standards Program of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.
Good Neighbor Clinic Board of Directors 2022-2023
Joyce Evers LCSW, President
Lisa Pickarts MSN, Vice President
Amanda Suchla, Treasurer
Susan Baumann-Duren MSW, Secretary
Gretchen Considine PAC, Medical Director
Linda Hohneke MSN, RN, Clinic Director
Veronica Gallas
Nancy Kaufman
Terri Broxmeyer
Mike Enge
Kym Pharo, NP
Clinic Staff
Mary Neuendorf Clinic Coordinator
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