Get to know Yvonna Rowett and Betsy Bowen from Marie Blanchard Friendship Clinic

The Marie Blanchard Friendship Clinic (MBFC) has been quietly saving lives and restoring health to Idahoans for 18 years by offering no-cost services to community members in need. MBFC offers eligible patients primary care services, physical therapy, counseling, nutrition guidance, and more. Idahoans who have low incomes and lack health insurance qualify for these services.

We recently reached out to MBFC's core staff members, Yvonna Rowett and Betsy Bowen, with a few questions:

Who are you and what do you like to do?

Yvonna: I am the Office Administrator/Interim ED for MBFC. I enjoy golf, hiking, and biking in this beautiful city.

Betsy: Clinical Nurse Manager, BSN, recently retired from SARMC. I volunteered at the MBFC for 14 years before becoming the clinical manager. I love to read and spend time with my family.

What is a professional accomplishment you are proud of?

Yvonna: I served as a Guardian ad Litem for the State when we first moved to Boise. It was so rewarding to give a voice to children subjected to abuse, abandonment, and neglect.

Betsy: While practicing as a certified psychiatric nurse with SARMC for over 16 years, I was asked to share my knowledge with the Foundation of Nursing. I continue to do so.

Why do you choose to work in the free clinic sector?

Yvonna: I fell into it when helping our founder and my good friend, Marie Blanchard. I started as a volunteer and ended up as a part-time employee. That was 18 years ago!

Betsy: Marie Blanchard was looking for volunteer nurses. I signed up immediately, knowing the great need for volunteers in this sector of the population.

What do you wish people knew about free clinics or your patients?

Yvonna & Betsy: How much we are needed and how grateful our patients are for their care. Some patients have only needed a little assistance, others more, but most want to be in good health and a productive part of their community. We are so grateful for the medical professionals that give their time and talents to our community.

What would you do with it if you got $5 million for your clinic?

Yvonna & Betsy: Expand mental health, add dental services, and move to a larger facility. It would also be nice to collaborate with smaller clinics similar to a co-op of services to meet all the needs of the underinsured and uninsured. It would be a one-stop for all services and a helping hand for smaller service providers.

What is the most significant challenge or opportunity for free clinics right now?

Yvonna & Betsy: Reaching those in need that have no idea free medical services are available.

For more information about MBFC, visit their website.

Snake River Community Clinic to offer expanded dental services to the region

LEWISTON, ID – Snake River Community Clinic launched a dental operatory providing expanded free dental services for the uninsured and under-insured in the region. The remodel began just over a year ago and the new, state-of-the-art equipment recently arrived and was installed.

“The new dental operatory is a beautiful modern space with which the community can be proud,” said Heidi Burford-Bell, Clinic Director. “Patients will at once feel the caring investment and deep commitment to providing access to quality dental services.”

In addition to basic dental care and treatment, the new operatory will provide fillings, extractions, fluoride treatments, routine cleanings, x-rays, consults for crowns and restorations, as well as denture referrals. The clinic’s in-house lab provides blood testing and analysis on-site.

Burford-Bell emphasized, “Improving the oral health of the community with free restorative dental services helps businesses, improves mental health, decreases emergency room visits, and improves health equity in the Lewis Clark Valley and region!”

Delta Dental of Idaho provided funding for the new operatory. Delta Dental of Idaho’s community outreach program invests millions of dollars in valuable programs for kids and seniors to improve and sustain their long-term dental health. Monies from the donation are providing panoramic digital imaging, a DCI Edge Dental Chair with an air/water/suction station, and a sterilization station.

“At Delta Dental of Idaho, we know that access to quality and affordable oral health care is imperative for every community in Idaho to enhance the overall health of our region. We can help make that happen by supporting free community clinics," said Heather Brown, Director of Oral Health and Community Outreach. "We're honored to help the Snake River Community Clinic expand access to much-needed oral health care for residents in Lewiston and across Nez Perce County."

Community dentists, periodontists, and endodontists volunteer their professional services to the clinic that operates three days a week for most of the year. “We rehab people’s mouths to restore aesthetics and their mouths can function,” said Pierce. “It helps reestablish self-image and helps people find jobs.”

The Snake River Community Clinic is a free clinic that provides medical, dental, and behavioral health for the uninsured and under-insured in the Lewis Clark Valley and outlying areas. Professional volunteers and community donors make these services possible.

Twin County United Way contributes toward the operating funds and the Lewis Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation provided a grant to integrate oral health to create a more robust dental program in the valley.

For more information, visit srccfreeclinic.org.

Donors give $12,000 to help Idahoans access free clinic services

Thanks to Idaho Gives supporters, more Idahoans in need will access primary care, mental health, and dental services. Ninety-six individuals donated $12,165 to Idaho free clinics during the 2022 annual event. Some of those dollars stretched further with matches from generous free clinic volunteers and supporting organizations.

Every dollar donated went directly to free clinic operations due to generous event sponsors, including Idaho Central Credit Union, George and Bev Harad, Idaho National Laboratory, AJ and Susie Balukoff, Boise Cascade, Simplot, KTVB7, and Cambia Health Foundation.

Care House Clinic, located in Nampa, was one of the six free clinics participating this year. Care House Clinic provides medical, dental, and counseling services for those who do not have health insurance and live at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Pastor Tony Johnson told IAFCC about a patient who recently received services in Care House's newly opened dental clinic:

A Spanish-speaking mother brought her young adult daughter and her elementary-aged daughter to the Care House Clinic for dental services. Because of their financial situation, they had never been able to access dental care. After the initial exams, the provider detailed what treatments would be necessary.

The mother worriedly asked, "How much will all this cost us?"

When Leticia, the translator, told her it wouldn't cost her anything, the mother asked

again, "How much is this going to cost?"

Leticia answered once more, "Nothing. It is free."

The mother got teary-eyed as she said, "Thank you! Thank you! You are a blessing from God."

Care House Clinic is one of eleven Idaho free clinics utilizing a volunteer/staff model to provide health services to economically disadvantaged individuals. In 2021, free clinics provided 18,173 patient visits for almost 5,000 Idahoans.

Mindy Hong, Executive Director of the Idaho Association of Free Clinics, said, "Investing in the free clinic service model is a smart financial move. For every dollar donated, Idaho free clinics provide three to five dollars in services that improve the quality of life for our neighbors."