Forty years ago, a group of caring citizens from the Community Services Council came together to address unmet needs in our community. One pressing concern was access to basic healthcare for neighbors who often had to ignore symptoms until an illness worsened, often resulting in emergency room visits or no medical care at all.
Knowing the generosity and compassion of the Winchester and Frederick County community, several Council members and others set out to create a place where healthcare would be available to those who could not otherwise afford it. In October 1986, the Free Medical Clinic of the Northern Shenandoah Valley opened in the basement of First Presbyterian Church. As the need for affordable healthcare grew, the Clinic later moved to the old Friendship Fire Hall and then to the Our Health Campus.
Through the dedication of countless doctors, nurses, and other volunteers, along with the steadfast support of Valley Health, the Clinic has provided essential medical care to our neighbors in need. For four decades, it has grown and thrived because of a community that continually demonstrates its compassion, generosity, and commitment to caring for one another.
In recent years, the Clinic was renamed the Dr. Terry Sinclair Health Clinic in honor of Dr. Sinclair, a founding board member and longtime medical director whose leadership and dedication helped shape the organization.
As the Clinic celebrates forty years of service, it also looks forward to an exciting new chapter: moving to its new home at 20 South Stewart Street. This new space will allow the Clinic to
expand services and provide access to quality healthcare for years to come.
On this milestone occasion, the administration, staff, medical professionals, and volunteers extend heartfelt gratitude to this extraordinary community. Whether you are a volunteer who has given countless hours, a community partner whose support sustains our work, a donor whose generosity keeps our mission moving forward, or a patient who places your trust in our car
The Clinic began with a simple idea and a handful of caring citizens. Forty years later, it stands as a testament to what we can accomplish when we come together to care for our neighbors.
e, you have helped make these forty years possible. Every act of kindness, partnership, hour volunteered, and gift has helped build something truly special.
As a founding board member, it has been a privilege to witness what happens when people unite around the belief that everyone deserves access to healthcare.
Thank you, Winchester and Frederick County, for forty years of compassion, generosity, and care. We look forward to continuing this important work together for generations to come.
-Russ Fowler, Founding Board Member
