ABOUT US

We strive to create a healthier community by providing healthcare for uninsured and under-insured people. We are here for anyone in need of the services we provide. Clinic days are every Tuesday (except holidays) 3:30-7pm.

At the Rice Lake Area Free Clinic we strive to ​create a healthier community by providing healthcare for uninsured & underinsured people. To date, we have helped over 1450 individuals directly and many more indirectly. 
​In 2022, we have had 100+ volunteers providing around 4,300 volunteer hours. This correlates to around $100,000 provided to the community in volunteer services. Our 4 cooperating hospitals donate in excess of $39,000 in lab and x-ray services annually. 
​Our Patient Assistance Program brings in over $43,000 in free medications annually.

Our Clinic Director

Melissa Price
is a 2001 BSN graduate and a 2006 MSN graduate, both from Edgewood College in Madison WI. She has a rich clinical background including: inpatient medical nursing, Kidney Clinic CNS, Labor/Delivery/Postpartum care, home health, and primary care. She is passionate about health care and wants everyone to be able to access affordable health care in a timely fashion. She also teaches occasional wild edible plant classes independently or with her husband Sam Thayer. Her hobbies include: Gardening, quilting, gathering wild plants to eat, walking/hiking. She also has three children: Myrica 14, Joshua 12, and Rebekah 7.

Rice Lake Area Free Clinic Accomplishments and Annual Report 2022 

  1. Patient visits were 547 with 167 new patients and 256 unique individuals.
  2. The RLAFC Board continues to implement our strategic plan.  The plan includes: 1. strengthening our community collaborations to better meet all the needs of our patients and increase awareness of our services,  2. continue to invest in our human resources of the board, volunteers and clinic director with leadership training and cross training and 3. regional publicity campaign.​​
  3. Hosted a summer intern who is aspiring to attend medical school. She assisted on clinic nights, updated and distributed publicity materials, and help re-develop our new website.​
  4. Conducted another patient satisfaction survey with very positive feedback
  5. Fully independent with our payroll. ​​