Innovative Commons – Woodlawn
A teaching clinic for South Side neighbors
Innovative Commons is a community health space Woodlawn Chicago residents can look to for future free, short term care. This up and coming site will support nurse practitioner students and volunteer physicians as they serve neighbors on Chicago’s South Side.
Short term care for uninsured residents
A bridge for people without coverage
Innovative Commons is being designed for people who are uninsured and currently uninsurable, especially residents of Woodlawn and nearby neighborhoods. The clinic will offer a limited number of visits, usually one to two per person, to address immediate needs while exploring public benefit options. During those visits, the team will focus on both your health concerns and your path to ongoing care. The goal is to make sure people who have no regular clinic are not left on their own. While the emphasis is on those without coverage, no one will be turned away based on status or income.
Learning and care in one innovative setting
Nurse practitioner students and volunteer physicians
Innovative Commons will function as an innovative health hub Woodlawn residents can access while nurse practitioner students gain experience under close supervision. Volunteer physicians and faculty will oversee visits, ensuring that care remains safe, respectful, and grounded in current practice. Patients will receive focused primary care, basic screenings, and guidance on next steps for follow up. Alongside medical care, the team will begin conversations about eligibility for public programs and local resources. The clinic’s design reflects a belief that education and service belong together in this community health space Woodlawn Chicago.
- Primary care visits with nurse practitioner students under supervision.
- Screenings and simple diagnostic support as resources allow.
- Conversations about public benefits and coverage options.
- Referrals to other clinics and community services for longer term care.
Rooted in Woodlawn on Chicago’s South Side
Clinic schedule and opening details
Innovative Commons will be located in the Woodlawn neighborhood, close to congregations, community groups, and families that have long called the South Side home. As the clinic moves from planning into active service, Worry Free Community will share clear information about clinic hours, days of operation, and how to be seen. The site is being shaped with input from local partners who understand transportation, safety, and access concerns. Our aim is to make the space inviting and practical for people who might otherwise delay care. As launch approaches, updates will be shared so neighbors know when this innovative health hub Woodlawn is ready to welcome patients.
A welcoming teaching clinic visit
From check in to a plan for next steps
When operations begin, patients will arrive and be greeted by volunteers who help with check in and basic forms. A nurse practitioner student will then meet with you, ask about your health concerns, and complete an exam while a supervising clinician remains closely involved. Together, they will explain findings in clear language and talk through options for follow up. Because visits are limited, part of the appointment will focus on connecting you to public benefits or community clinics that can continue your care. The visit will be designed to feel respectful, unhurried, and grounded in faith and health innovation Chicago partners are building together.
Innovative Commons – Woodlawn
New clinic in development in Woodlawn, hours coming soon
Will focus on uninsured / uninsurable South Side residents, short term care
Teaching clinic for nurse practitioner students with volunteer physician oversight
Building a shared resource for Woodlawn
Collaboration between universities, clinics, and community
Innovative Commons is emerging from collaboration among Worry Free Community, nurse practitioner training programs, volunteer physicians, and local organizations in Woodlawn. The clinic will give students a chance to learn in the very communities they hope to serve, instead of only in classroom or hospital settings. Neighbors benefit from short term care and warm introductions to public systems that can support them beyond one or two visits. Over time, stories and data from this site will contribute to clinical impact across our communities by highlighting what helps South Side residents most. The clinic will be one part of a broader network of charitable clinics across Chicagoland.
Questions about Innovative Commons – Woodlawn
Information for future patients and partners
Who will be eligible to receive care at Innovative Commons?
The clinic will focus on people who are uninsured and currently uninsurable, including residents who do not have access to employer plans or public programs at the time they seek care. During visits, staff will review basic information to see whether you might actually qualify for Medicaid, marketplace coverage, or other supports and help start that process where possible. The emphasis is on those without coverage, but no one will be turned away because of status or income. If another service is a better fit, the team will explain options and help you make that connection.
How many visits can I expect to have?
Innovative Commons is designed as a short term bridge instead of a long term primary care home. Most patients will be seen for one to two visits that focus on immediate needs and planning for ongoing care elsewhere. This structure helps more people be seen during clinic hours and keeps the focus on connecting patients to stable coverage and regular providers. During your time with the clinic, staff will help you prioritize what needs to be addressed first and where you can go next.
Will it be safe to receive care from nurse practitioner students?
Nurse practitioner students will always be supervised by experienced clinicians who are present during visits and responsible for final decisions. This model is common in teaching settings and allows patients to benefit from up to date training combined with seasoned judgment. Volunteer physicians and faculty provide oversight, mentorship, and support to ensure quality. If you ever have questions during your visit, you can ask to speak directly with the supervising clinician.
Will there be any cost for services at this clinic?
The clinic is being developed as a free resource for people who do not have coverage, so there will be no charge for visits themselves. In some situations, outside tests or medications may involve costs through partner organizations, and the team will explain those clearly if they apply. Staff will also work with you to explore public benefits that can reduce financial strain in the future. The overall goal is to lessen the burden on people who already face significant barriers to care.
When will Innovative Commons open and how will I know?
Because Innovative Commons is an up and coming clinic, some details are still being finalized in partnership with training programs and local organizations. As opening dates and clinic schedules are confirmed, Worry Free Community will share updates on its website, newsletters, and through community partners in Woodlawn. You can also reach out directly to ask about the current timeline or to sign up for updates. Staying connected this way will help you know when the community health space Woodlawn Chicago is ready to welcome patients.
