AmeriCares News

Danbury Clinic Celebrates 10 Years


January 22, 2007

AmeriCares CEO Curt Welling, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Danbury Clinic Director Dina Valenti pose for a photo with local award recipient Advanced Derm Care.

Among those turning out to support the clinic at the evening celebration were Connecticut State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton. 

“I can’t imagine being more proud of anything than to be a friend of AmeriCares and, most particularly, AmeriCares Free Clinics,” said Attorney General Blumenthal, talking about the vital importance of healthcare.  “I want to thank everyone in AmeriCares, everyone who is supporting AmeriCares, and everyone who shares the ideals and goals of this organization.” 

As part of the evening’s celebration, the AmeriCares Free Clinic staff, led by Executive Director Karen Gottlieb and Clinic Director Dina Valenti, honored seven local organizations for their significant contributions in supporting the clinic’s work.  Receiving awards from AmeriCares as well as a citation from the Attorney General’s office were Advanced Derm Care; Advanced Ear, Nose & Throat; Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation; Danbury Hospital; Danbury Office of Physician Services; Danbury Eye Physicians & Surgeons; and Danbury Radiological Associates. 

More than 150 supporters of the clinic attended the event at Ives Manor Ballroom in Danbury, including many patients who have benefited from the clinic’s services. 

Since it opened in 1997, the AmeriCares Free Clinic of Danbury has provided health care services valued at over $7 million to more than 5,500 community residents.  The clinic now has nearly 3,000 patient visits each year, and in the past year saw more than 400 new patients. 

AmeriCares Free Clinics has three locations in Fairfield County, serving the communities of Danbury, Norwalk and Bridgeport.   For more information, go to www.americaresfreeclinics.org.