Hello! My name is Lucia Martinez, and I am a fourth-year student at The Ohio State University majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Biology. Through my experiences in community service, clinical settings, and healthcare research, I have seen how barriers such as cost, language, and limited access can prevent people from receiving the care they need. At the Columbus Free Clinic, I have seen how addressing these barriers can change a patient’s experience with healthcare. At La Clinica Latina specifically, I serve as a volunteer translator and Undergraduate Director of Chronic Care. Here I help coordinate care for more than 300 patients by managing referrals, organizing follow-ups, and supporting student volunteers as they work to provide continuity of care. This experience has shown me that improving health is not only about treating an illness during one appointment, but also about helping patients access the resources and ongoing support they need to manage their health over time.

One moment at the clinic especially reminded me why this work matters. I worked with a patient who was learning how to use an insulin pen and was understandably unsure about managing a new part of their diabetes care. What might seem like a simple lesson became an important opportunity to build confidence and make sure the patient understood how to care for themselves at home. In other encounters, I have seen how language can add another layer to an already difficult healthcare experience. As a Spanish medical interpreter, I have helped patients communicate their concerns and understand recommendations from their care teams. These experiences have shown me that accessibility is about more than providing a medical appointment, it means creating an environment where patients can ask questions, understand their care, and feel respected. The Columbus Free Clinic makes this possible by bringing together students, physicians, interpreters, and community volunteers to provide care to individuals who may otherwise face significant barriers to receiving it. I am continually inspired by how much this community accomplishes through a shared commitment to ensuring that patients are not left without care simply because they cannot afford it.

My experiences at the Columbus Free Clinic have shown me how much can change when patients have a place where they can receive care without having to choose between their health and their ability to access it. Your support can help the clinic continue providing free, compassionate care to members of our Columbus community while giving students the opportunity to learn through meaningful service. A contribution can help sustain the interpreters, providers, supplies, and resources that make it possible for patients to receive care and feel supported throughout their healthcare journey. To me, supporting the Columbus Free Clinic means investing in a community that believes healthcare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. I hope you will join me in helping the clinic continue to ensure that patients are not left without care because of barriers outside of their control.