About
Founded in 1986 as the Northwest Arkansas Free Health Center, WelcomeHealth is a nonprofit community health clinic in Fayetteville, Arkansas, dedicated to providing quality medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and support services to low-income individuals regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. The clinic’s mission emphasizes accessibility, compassion and community partnerships to remove barriers to care and improve health outcomes.
Originally operated out of a small space with volunteer providers, the clinic grew as demand increased, and in 2015 it changed its name to WelcomeHealth to reflect that it serves not only uninsured individuals but also underinsured and insured patients who struggle with out-of-pocket costs such as co-pays and deductibles. The modern, LEED-certified facility on North Woolsey Avenue serves patients five days a week plus one evening, with care provided by a combination of paid staff and a broad team of volunteers including physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, technicians and lay volunteers, all coordinated under the guidance of a volunteer Board of Directors.
WelcomeHealth serves patients of all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds who meet income qualifications, primarily residents of Washington County, but also qualifying individuals from Benton and surrounding counties. Many patients have insurance but cannot afford co-pays or meet deductibles, while many others lack dental coverage altogether. The clinic provides primary medical care, urgent and preventive dental care, oral health education, limited restorative services, hygiene cleanings, prescription assistance through patient assistance programs, nutrition and diabetes education, and referrals to specialty care or community resources as needed. All patients who meet income requirements are welcome regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, reflecting the organization’s commitment to high-quality, accessible healthcare driven by volunteerism and community partnership.