Our History

In 1986, Jessie Bryant recognized a pressing need for accessible, no-cost medical care for uninsured residents in Northwest Arkansas. She founded the Northwest Arkansas Free Health Center in a small church basement, offering critical care to those in need.

As word spread, the clinic quickly outgrew its original space. Patients traveled from Washington, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, and Sebastian counties. As well as neighboring states like Oklahoma and Missouri, to access the clinic’s services. Originally run entirely by volunteers, the clinic operated one day a week, providing essential medical care to underserved communities.

Over the years, the clinic evolved to meet growing demand. In 2013, the clinic moved to its current location on Woolsey Avenue in Fayetteville. Designed by world-renowned architect Marlon Blackwell, the state-of-the-art, 10,000-square-foot LEED-certified facility is located on the UAMS Northwest campus.

Today, WelcomeHealth operates five days and one evening a week, offering a wide range of medical and dental services. Since 1988, the clinic has provided dental extractions to alleviate pain and improve oral health. What began as a volunteer-only operation has grown into a robust healthcare facility with dedicated staff and expanded services, remaining steadfast in its mission to deliver high-quality, no-cost healthcare to those who need it most.