Clearwater, Fla. – The Clearwater Free Clinic celebrated the grand opening of the Ruth and J.O. Stone Wellness Center on Oct. 8. The 8,500‑square‑foot facility, located next to the clinic’s main building on Court Street, consolidates a range of health services under one roof for the city’s low‑income, uninsured residents.
Expanded medical and wellness services
Clinic CEO Anthony Degina said the new center serves as a primary and specialty medical home for patients who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private care. “We typically get patients who are employed, working multiple part‑time jobs,” Degina explained.
In fiscal year 2026, the clinic served 1,113 unique patients, an 18% increase from the prior year, and enrolled 428 new patients. More than 160 volunteers, including about 60 physicians and health‑care providers, support the operation.
The wellness center doubles the size of the clinic’s behavioral health counseling program, increases physical‑therapy frequency, and adds occupational therapy, yoga, and stretching classes. Arts and music therapy experiences are also offered, along with chronic‑disease education, wellness workshops, and community partnership initiatives.
Food‑pantry partnership and nutrition education
Degina highlighted a partnership with BayCare Health System and the St. Petersburg Free Clinic that runs a food pantry serving 645 households (1,924 people) in September. The new center features a demonstration kitchen where patients can shop the pantry, prepare healthy meals, and learn practical nutrition skills.
“We want to give our patients the opportunity, once they get well physically, to stay well and learn the things that can help them,” Degina said.
Funding and renovation
The project is part of the clinic’s $7 million “Keep Them Well Comprehensive Campaign,” which covered purchase, renovation, and outfitting of the space. The building, formerly commercial office space, underwent major upgrades beginning in July 2025, including the installation of an elevator, with most work completed by June 2026.
With the new wellness center, the Clearwater Free Clinic reinforces its commitment to affordable, comprehensive health care for the community, embodying the values of family, faith, and individual liberty that strengthen Pinellas County.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
