Tri City Health Partnership (TCHP) announced that the local nonprofit is celebrating 25 years of providing free, high-quality medical and dental care to uninsured adults in Central Kane County.

The group says the milestone was made possible by thousands of volunteers, generous donors, dedicated community partners, and a shared belief that everyone deserves access to healthcare.

Since opening in 2001, TCHP has provided more than 65,000 medical and dental visits to nearly 13,000 uninsured neighbors. It’s the only year-round free medical and dental clinic serving uninsured adults in Central Kane County, supported by than 80 volunteer medical and dental professionals and the philanthropic support of the community.

The clinic's founders point out that TCHP's success has never belonged to any one individual.

"John Collins and I never wanted TCHP to be 'our clinic,'" said co-founder Dr. Patrick Gannon. "Yes, we may have pushed the snowball down the hill, but the wonderful boulder of love and compassion that it has become today was the result of hundreds of volunteers, directors, board members, donors, and, of course, the Great Physician—God."

John Collins, longtime friend of Gannon and co-founder of TCHP, recalls how the clinic found its home.

"As a real estate broker, I looked at numerous sites, and Pat Gannon ended up purchasing the present-day clinic 25 years ago. It was and still is a perfect building for a free medical clinic,” he said.

While the clinic has grown significantly over the past quarter century, its mission remains unchanged: providing free medical and dental care to uninsured adults so they can live healthier, more productive lives.

TCHP says the demand for services continues to increase as more local residents find themselves without health insurance. Through the dedication of volunteer physicians, dentists, nurses, hygienists, interpreters, administrative volunteers, and community supporters, TCHP aims to meet that need while preventing unnecessary emergency room visits and helping patients manage chronic conditions before they become medical crises.

“Twenty-five years ago, TCHP was founded on a simple but powerful belief: no one in our community should go without essential care because they cannot afford it,” said Executive Director Danielle Ward. “As we look to the next 25 years, our responsibility is to strengthen that promise, respond to our community’s changing needs, and ensure TCHP remains a source of compassionate, high-quality care. With our volunteers, donors, partners, and neighbors beside us, I’m incredibly hopeful about what we’ll accomplish together.”

Tri City Health Partnership will commemorate its 25th anniversary with two events.

On Friday, August 28 at 2PM, TCHP is hosting a multi-chamber ribbon cutting and open house at the clinic, 314 and 318 Walnut.

A Celebration of Care and Community on Sunday, August 30, will bring together volunteers, donors, community leaders, and longtime supporters to honor the organization's history while looking toward the future. The event will be held at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles from 4-7PM.

Tickets to the event can be purchased here.

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with questions or comments.

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