Business Details
16 Years
experience
Free Medical and Dental Care Services in Fort Pierce, FL
HANDS of St. Lucie County was founded in 2010 to address critical healthcare gaps for uninsured adults in our community. As a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, we provide free primary medical, dental, and preventive care services to low-income residents aged 19-64. Our collaborative model partners with local physicians, hospitals, and specialists to create a continuum of care while reducing unnecessary emergency room visits. We operate a full-service clinic offering primary care, vision services, gynecological exams, chiropractic treatment, diabetes management, and dental procedures performed by volunteer professionals. Our patient prescription program connects individuals with free medications through pharmaceutical partnerships, and our health education classes empower patients to manage chronic conditions like diabetes.Accredited by Volunteers in Medicine, we maintain a Culture of Caring philosophy that respects patient dignity while addressing systemic healthcare access challenges. With over 1,600 patients served annually, our team combines decades of medical expertise with compassionate service delivery. Our volunteer-driven model includes licensed clinicians, student interns, and administrative professionals working together to improve community health outcomes. We maintain affiliations with Florida State Medical School, Florida Atlantic University, and Nova Dental School to enhance clinical training opportunities. Through strategic partnerships and community support, we continue expanding access to essential healthcare services for vulnerable populations in St. Lucie County.
Services
Primary Care
Dental Services
Diabetes Management
Health Education
Prescription Assistance
Vision Care
Gynecological Exams
Chiropractic Treatment
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- 15+ years of combined executive leadership experience in nonprofit healthcare
- Comprehensive continuum of care from primary medical to dental services
- Volunteer-driven model with licensed Florida medical professionals
- Affiliated with Florida State Medical School and Nova Dental School
- Patient prescription program connecting to free pharmaceutical resources
Associations and certifications
- Volunteers in Medicine
- 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
What people say
Caring staff
Helped tremendously
Necessary service
Best I've ever seen
Phenomenal team
Services
Primary Care
Our primary care services provide comprehensive medical treatment for adults aged 19-64 through board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners. Patients receive preventive care, chronic disease management, and acute illness treatment in a patient-centered environment. The service focuses on establishing long-term doctor-patient relationships to improve health outcomes for uninsured individuals.
Dental Services
Volunteer dentists provide essential dental care including exams, extractions, and preventive treatments for qualified patients. The clinic offers digital imaging, periodontal maintenance, and oral hygiene instruction to address dental health needs. Services are performed by licensed Florida dental professionals committed to improving access to oral healthcare.
Diabetes Management
Specialized diabetes care includes medical treatment, nutritional counseling, and self-management education for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Certified nutritionists lead health education classes to help patients control blood sugar levels and prevent complications. The program emphasizes lifestyle modifications and regular monitoring.
Health Education
Free health education classes teach disease prevention strategies and wellness practices to empower patients to manage their health. Topics include nutrition, diabetes management, and smoking cessation with personalized guidance from healthcare professionals. The program aims to improve health literacy and self-care capabilities.
Prescription Assistance
Patient navigators help individuals obtain free or reduced-cost prescription medications through pharmaceutical company programs. The service assists with application processes and coordinates medication distribution to ensure treatment affordability. This program addresses critical medication access barriers for uninsured patients.
People
Lisa Hatch
Executive Director
With over 30 years of healthcare and nonprofit experience, Lisa leads operations at HANDS after working in major New York hospital systems. She joined in 2020 and oversees strategic initiatives while balancing community engagement and organizational growth.
Lori Ullrich
Director of Operations
A Fort Pierce native with over a decade of service at HANDS, Lori transitioned from medical assistant to operations leadership in 2018. She manages day-to-day clinic functions and patient navigation programs while maintaining local community connections.
Gene Manko
Medical Director
Board-certified OB/GYN physician with 40+ years of clinical experience, Dr. Manko leads medical programs at HANDS. He established teaching partnerships with Florida medical schools and oversees clinical quality assurance for patient care services.
John Kinney
Medical Director
Actively practicing physician since 2013, Dr. Kinney contributes clinical expertise and serves on the board of directors. He maintains current medical licensure while mentoring healthcare professionals in the HANDS volunteer network.
Storm
Patient Navigator
Joined HANDS in 2020 while pursuing higher education at Indian River State College. This patient navigator assists with prescription programs and care coordination, focusing on personalized support for new patients.
Questions
Who qualifies for HANDS services?
Uninsured adults aged 19-64 who have lived in St. Lucie County for 6+ months and meet income requirements qualify for free services.
What medical services are available?
We offer primary care, vision exams, gynecological services, chiropractic treatment, diabetes management, and access to specialist care through partnerships.
How do I apply for care?
Complete an eligibility assessment through our online portal or contact our office to schedule an intake appointment with our patient navigators.
Can volunteers join your team?
We welcome licensed medical professionals, dental providers, and administrative volunteers. Contact our volunteer coordinator for licensing requirements and onboarding.
How does the prescription program work?
Our patient navigators help qualified individuals apply for free medications through pharmaceutical company assistance programs with provider documentation.
What are clinic hours?
Monday 8:30am-7pm, Tuesday 8:30am-5pm, Wednesday 8:30am-7pm, Thursday 8:30am-12pm, and Friday dental appointments by request.
Reviews (6)
Aj Stlucie
Aug 05, 2021
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Fantastic facility and staff. Always helpful. An absolute necessity and blessing in St. Lucie County!
Willow Nunya
Aug 05, 2021
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An amazing collaboration between the County and Volunteers, Hands Clinic provides many needed services for the uninsured. It is an Income contingent alternative for people who can not afford insurance. Medicines, doctor visits, mental health, eye exams and dental are all available to thise who qualify.
Sarah Blazer
May 24, 2021
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I have had a wonderful experience. The receptionists Marco & Storm are so helpful & kind. My doctor is one of best I've ever seen. Dr. Palestrank is amazing! Thank you to everyone who makes this possible. I couldn't name them all, everyone is here is phenomenal!
Nora Jencks
Mar 27, 2021
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We had a great experience with my sons Covid vaccine today. Organized, efficient, very kind caregivers
Lejuene Stepthen
Oct 29, 2020
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They are really a good careing staff they really care about there patients may God keep blessing you all
Michael Dodd
Dec 17, 2018
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Place was horrible. I quit going. If you can go to the clinic in martin county do it. It is ran like a real medical facility. They keep appointments they call you back they do things in a timely fashion.
