University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
IN-1: Innovation 1

The Living Healthy Community Clinic (LHCC) provides confidential, cost-effective medical care to uninsured and under-served residents of Winnebago County. The clinic relies on volunteers and a small paid staff, who reach out to people of all ages and walks of life that have difficulty accessing medical care due to financial constraints and lack of insurance coverage. The clinic and its staff are committed to providing quality care, in a nonjudgmental environment to anyone in the community who is without access to basic care. The LHCC provides the following services free of charge: -Primary, non-emergency, medical care for health problems. -Medical care for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiac issues. -Limited dental care. -Prescription medication (no controlled substances). -Health education and promotion -Orthopedic Injections -On-Site Mental Health counseling The UW Oshkosh College of Nursing operates the Living Healthy Community Clinic with the support of community agencies. The clinic provides confidential, cost-effective medical care to underinsured people with high deductibles and uninsured people who currently do not have the money to pay for traditional health care. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale based on each individual's ability to pay.

The LHCC is a model for addressing local needs at the local level by forming partnerships and strategic alliances within the community. The clinic continues to exist because the community takes their “social contract” to heart with their pocketbook. The three major health care providers in Winnebago County include Affinity Health Care, Aurora Medical Group ($60,000), and ThedaCare ($30,000), all three are active financial donors to the clinic. In addition, they donate lab and basic diagnostic services on a quarterly rotation. The clinic pays $1 a year in rent to Affinity Health Care and Aurora Medical Group provides housekeeping, medical waste removal, and outside maintenance with no charge to the clinic. Other major funders include the Mercy Health Foundation-MHF ($100,000), Oshkosh Area United Way ($23,000), the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation ($10,000), and the City of Oshkosh through a Community Development Block Grant ($10,0000), Winnebago County ($124,600-reducing funds by $25,000 a year over next four years), The Kuenzl Foundation ($10,000), Fisk Gallop Fund ($10,000), JJ Keller Foundation ($25,000-included in MHF funds), US Venture ($25,000-included in the MHF funds), and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.