There’s more than spiritual good news at a downtown Riverside church.
About twice a month, UC Riverside medical students run a free clinic from the site, bringing medical attention to those who need it.
The Riverside Free Clinic, which began 21 years ago, takes place at First Congregational Church, down the street from the Mission Inn.
Every other Wednesday evening, students oversee the clinic that sees patients, giving them the medical attention they need while providing experience to future physicians and medical professionals, a UCR news release states.
The clinic, a nonprofit organization, operates on donations and grants.
Eljohn Geoffrey Dela Cruz, a UC Riverside medical student, writes up his findings of a patient in the pews at First Congregational Church, where the clinic is held every other week, in Riverside on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The free clinic is in its 21st year. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
UC Riverside medical student Alexis Perez, standing, talks with a patient during the biweekly Riverside Free Clinic on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at First Congregational Church in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
UC Riverside biology student Katie Yin prepares to serve food to patients on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the Riverside Free Clinic at First Congregational Church in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
People wait outside to see doctors on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the Riverside Free Clinic at First Congregational Church in Riverside. The clinic has been helping the underinsured and unemployed in the community for 21 years. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
UC Riverside medical student Sanya Dhama, center, talks with a patient on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the biweekly Riverside Free Clinic at First Congregational Church in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
UC Riverside medical student Eljohn Geoffrey Dela Cruz talks with a patient on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the biweekly Riverside Free Clinic at First Congregational Church in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
UC Riverside biology students Katie Yin, left, and Kianna Le prepare food for patients on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the biweekly Riverside Free Clinic at First Congregational Church in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
UC Riverside medical student Eljohn Geoffrey Dela Cruz, left, consults with Ryan Penaflor, a resident physician and surgeon, after seeing a patient on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the Riverside Free Clinic at First Congregational Church in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
Riverside City College nursing students Joy Abousiaf, left, and Kaitlynn Veca talk while seeing a patient on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the Riverside Free Clinic at First Congregational Church in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
UC Riverside students Diana Vargas Hope, left, and George Maida help a patient register on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the biweekly Riverside Free Clinic at First Congregational Church in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
UC Riverside medical student Alexis Perez, standing, talks with a patient on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the biweekly Riverside Free Clinic at First Congregational Church in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
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Eljohn Geoffrey Dela Cruz, a UC Riverside medical student, writes up his findings of a patient in the pews at First Congregational Church, where the clinic is held every other week, in Riverside on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The free clinic is in its 21st year. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise)
It offers free care that includes lab work, pharmacy, social services and health resources such as hygiene kits and lung health supplies. The clinic treats conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, urinary tract problems. It also offers dental care.
The clinic uses doctors from UCR and elsewhere, as well as pharmacy and dental students from the Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona and nursing students from Riverside City College, the release states.
The Riverside Free Clinic is for patients who don’t have insurance, are underinsured or are unemployed and their children.
The next session is set for Wednesday, Aug. 6. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. for dental work. Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
