Medical Students
Sarah Steffen
Sarah Steffen is a second-year medical student at MCW-Central Wisconsin pursuing family medicine. She began volunteering at the free clinic as a first-year medical student in 2019, when the clinic was primarily serving those experiencing homelessness, a population she had experience providing resources and support to from her time as an AmeriCorps member. As the clinic transitioned from serving only those utilizing the warming shelter to other members of the greater Wausau community, Sarah organized and lead two focus groups with Hispanic and Hmong Health Liaisons so that their medical experiences, anticipated health needs, and concerns about obtaining care could be incorporated into clinic planning and be inclusive of all community needs. Sarah is proud to be a part of the free clinic and the safe, nonjudgmental space it provides for patients who might not otherwise receive care. Her time with the free clinic has only reinforced her desire to care for underserved and at-risk populations in her future practice, as she believes everyone deserves quality health care.
Jesslyn Hendrickson
My name is Jesslyn Hendrickson and I am currently a first-year medical student at the Medical College of Wisconsin - Central Wisconsin here in Wausau. Although I am originally from Southeast Minnesota, I am so excited to be here in North Central Wisconsin with the Wausau Free Clinic and the medical school. I began volunteering at the Wausau Free Clinic in November 2020 and have loved every minute of it, learning from every volunteer and patient coming through the door. The free clinic has helped me learn so much more about this community and connect with its members more than I could have ever imagined. As a medical student wanting to pursue family practice, this has been a wonderful experience that I look forward to continuing with in the years to come!
Rachel Lange
I've been involved in the free clinic since day 1! What started as just an idea has grown into something incredible, and I am beyond excited to see where we go from here. I think our homeless and underserved populations deserve quality medical care, and I am honored to be able to provide that for them.
Ashley Dunton
(2019)
Ashley Dunton is a 3rd year medical student at MCW-CW who will be graduating this upcoming May and will be attending Internal Medicine residency this summer. She began volunteering at the free clinic in early 2019 before becoming involved in the Medical Outreach Clinic for Homeless Individuals (MOCHI) project based at the clinic. The following year, she directed and facilitated this project and ultimately presented her results at multiple local conferences. Ashley has undoubtedly enjoyed serving at the free clinic, which has reinforced her eagerness to serve the unmet health needs of adults. In doing so, she has found it humbling to empower these individuals while reassuring them of their acceptance in the process.
Katie Ernste
Katie Ernste is a medical student at MCW-Central Wisconsin pursuing primary care. She is originally from Southeastern Minnesota, where she grew up and developed a passion for rural medicine. She started volunteering with the free clinic in August of 2021, during her first year of medical school. Katie has been working with the free clinic to investigate the medical needs of the Central Wisconsin area, specifically the population that uses the free clinic resources. In doing this research, she has been working closely with the Hispanic population and occasionally serving as a Spanish translator while at the clinic. The information from this research will hopefully be used to directly benefit those at the clinic by incorporating care measures tailored to what the community needs. Her time at the free clinic has helped her grow in her clinical skills and shown her firsthand the importance of providing quality healthcare to all populations.
