A group of medical professionals next week will open a free or low-cost medical clinic at the former Forest Park United Methodist Church, now Lifehouse Church, at 2100 Kentucky Ave.

Retired nurse and clinic volunteer Patsy Hendricks says the Lifehouse Health Clinic will be open twice a month beginning Monday.

The facility will serve adults and children, she said, with an emphasis on care for people who are uninsured and underinsured and those who meet federal poverty guidelines.

Hendricks said clinic organizers believe, based on a community survey, that a need exists for this kind of medical care.

“Matthew 25 (a downtown clinic) is a great facility and does a wonderful job but is really busy. And we thought we could help out with that,” she said.

Clinic hours generally will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Monday of the month and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the last Thursday of the month. The schedule may change when a holiday falls on the scheduled day.

The next Thursday session will be Nov. 21 because Thanksgiving falls on the last Thursday of the month.

Hendricks said no appointments are necessary.

She said the clinic will be staffed by a medical doctor, Dr. Justin Rotonyi, a nurse practitioner, Stacie Householder, and 10 nurses.

The clinic will not dispense opioid medications, stimulants or anti-anxiety drugs, Hendricks said. However, patients may be prescribed needed medications, she said.

The clinic will seek donations to assist patients with the cost of drugs and certain medical equipment under the church's nonprofit status, Hendricks said.

“What we really want to do is do education, talk to (patients) about their needs and find resources for them,” she said.

“Our church's whole purpose is bringing people to Christ, and we do that by meeting them where they are, ... and we believe the clinic is one way we can do this.”

Some services the clinic will provide are screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol and treatment for illnesses such as colds and coughs. Sports physicals and flu vaccinations also will be offered.

Patients will be asked for a $10 donation, but care can be offered for free, Hendricks said.

Lifehouse Church is a three-campus United Methodist congregation. Its locations are at the former Huntertown United Methodist Church, 16021 Lima Road, and at 1601 W. Cedar Canyons Road.

More information is available at 260-637-3798.

rsalter@jg.net