New Carroll building to house Waukesha Free Clinic
By Jake Ekdahl
Jekdahl@conleynet.com
262-513-2657
WAUKESHA — Officials from Carroll University and the Waukesha Free Clinic gathered Friday at 237 Wisconsin Ave. in Waukesha to cut the ribbon of the new Carroll University Community Health Services Building.
The 9,000-square-foot building will provide medical and ancillary services for Waukesha County’s underserved and underinsured populations of all ages. The Waukesha Free Clinic at Carroll University will occupy the top floor, while the university will provide services on the main floor and lower level. Students from the physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, nursing and public health services will work with patients under the supervision of Carroll Health Sciences faculty.
“As Carroll University is Wisconsin’s first four-year institution of higher learning, and St. Joseph’s Medical Clinic is the state’s oldest free clinic, this partnership is particularly meaningful,” said Carroll President Cindy Gnadinger. “This is truly a heartfelt effort for us at Carroll, as it ties in so well with our Christian mission to prepare students for vocational success and to provide service in our diverse community. We believe in investing in Waukesha County and being a leader in helping to solve community problems.”
Renovation of the building was made possible by Carroll University contributions, the public, Waukesha Free Clinic capital campaign donors and a $250,000 Waukesha County Community Development Block Grant.
“We will see more equality amongst everyone in terms of health care,” said Dr. Shelley Watters of the Waukesha Free Clinic. “We’re in our new home, we’ve got everything in place. We can safely take care of (you) in this pandemic.”
Watters said the clinic outgrew its previous space within St. Joseph’s parish, and that led to the opportunity for partnership with Carroll.