Essential Health Clinic
Medical PracticesOregon, United States11-50 Employees
Essential Health Clinic is a free urgent care provider based in Hillsboro, Oregon, serving uninsured and low‑income residents of Washington County. Its model relies on medical volunteers and partnerships with community health organizations to deliver urgent care at no cost to patients who face significant access barriers. The organization traces its origins to 2001, when a consortium of hospital systems and community partners formed it to reduce strain on hospital emergency departments; it became an independent nonprofit in 2008. Now in its 10th anniversary year, it aims to scale to meet the needs of about 140,000 residents in Washington County and beyond who lack adequate income or insurance. The clinic operates two locations with care offered on three nights per week, supported by a small staff, dozens of institutional supporters, and more than 200 active volunteers. It stands as the only safety-net provider in the county offering free urgent care.