Volunteer Health Clinic

About Us

The mission of the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic is to provide the most vulnerable with access to high quality healthcare and prevention education. Our vision is to help create and sustain a healthy community where all people, especially the indigent, have access to healthcare and personal well-being.

History

The Clinic began quietly back in 1966, when the Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Theresa's Church noticed a gap in medical services available for the less fortunate and decided to do something about it. These well-connected women persuaded private physicians to see patients in their offices free of charge and so began the Medical Referral Service, the Clinic's original name.

Around this same time, Monsignor Richard McCabe, Director of Catholic Charities, was looking for a way to keep his recently retired father, Dr. John McCabe, occupied. He built upon what the Ladies of Charity had started and began a small daytime clinic. For many years Dr. John McCabe kept busy seeing patients twice a week, during the mornings. Over time evening Clinics, staffed by additional volunteer medical professionals, were offered.

The Clinic operated in several borrowed spaces including a building on the property of St. David's Church. At this location, the Clinic shared space with Caritas, another non-profit founded by Monsignor McCabe. Due to the proximity to Caritas, it quickly became known as Caritas Clinic.

In 1993, with assistance from the Daughters of Charity/Seton, the Board of Directors was able to purchase and renovate the building at 4215 Medical Parkway, the Clinic's current location. In 1996, in order to properly honor the countless individuals and organizations in the community who give of their time, talents and financial support, the name was changed to the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic.

Name History

Medical Referral Service: November 23, 1966 - December 4, 1969
Medical & Dental Referral Services: December 5, 1969 - April 11, 1990
Caritas Clinic: April 12, 1990 - June 24, 1996
Volunteer Healthcare Clinic: June 25, 1996 - present

Funding

The Volunteer Healthcare Clinic is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Financial support is provided by individuals, foundations, organizations, churches, and the Travis County Healthcare District, Central Health.