David W. Johnson has been chosen as the first dedicated chief executive for the Montgomery County Free Clinic.
Johnson will work with the board of directors to oversee clinic operations, community outreach, fundraising, as well as nonprofit and medical practice compliance measures. He will lead over a dozen volunteers and staff members to fulfill the organization’s mission: to provide high-quality medical and dental care to residents of Montgomery County who lack insurance and would otherwise go without basic health care.
“I was raised in a small town where everyone knew each other and where everyone helped their neighbors,” Johnson said. “Having grown up in an environment where service to others was the norm, and holding a passion for health and wellness, the Montgomery County Free Clinic is a perfect fit. I am so pleased to be part of this incredible community organization.”
Born and raised in the Lafayette area, Johnson attended Purdue University where he received his bachelor’s degree in psychology. He started his professional career coordinating general medical and mental health services for adults with disabilities for four years followed by two years working with youth on alcohol, tobacco, and other drug education and prevention programs. He then returned to Purdue to pursue a master’s degree in health promotion and worked at the university providing health and wellness programs to the 12,000-plus residential students.
Johnson moved to Montgomery County in 2002 to serve as the executive director of the Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau for three and a half years followed by serving as the executive director of MUFFY for nearly 12 years.
Donna Hendrickson, board president, adds that hiring Johnson is historic and will be a real turning point for the organization.
“David is very compassionate with the people we serve, and he has an outstanding knowledge base for running a nonprofit organization,” Hendrickson said. “We feel very fortunate to have David to provide guidance and vision as we navigate our growth in the coming years. Additionally, we are extremely fortunate that the Montgomery County Community Foundation has recently awarded us a $50,000 grant to fund the initial overhead needed to make the leap to a dedicated, non-volunteer executive director.”
The grant was made possible by the Faye O. and Anna Winter Schenck Fund, the Joseph D. Smith Trust Fund and the Drs. Paul and Mary Ludwig Fund, each established by local donors and managed by the Montgomery County Community Foundation.
About the organization
The Montgomery County Free Clinic offers high-quality medical care to residents who lack insurance, fall within 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, and do not
qualify for Medicaid. The
organization focuses on disease prevention and medication management to improve quality of life and reduce strain on the healthcare system. It also utilizes restricted funds to support needs that extend beyond the clinic’s services, including support for breast cancer patients through FAITH Alliance.
The clinic is a descendent of the Christian Nursing Service, founded in 1968 by Dr. Mary Ludwig and seven other women as a volunteer-run clinic housed in an old church. In 2009, community partners came together to form the Montgomery County Free Clinic Inc., a nonprofit 501c3 organization, which operates the Dr. Mary Ludwig Free Clinic at 816 Mill St., Crawfordsville. The clinic is staffed by healthcare professionals and volunteers who donate their time and skills to improve the health of our community. The nonprofit also directs the work of the local “Meals on Wheels” program which provides meals to home-bound residents. For more information, visit online at www.mcfreeclinic.org.
Looking for a way to help?
To further support the Montgomery County Free Clinic, consider making a special donation. Donations can be made at mcfreeclinic.org or by mail to P.O. Box 86, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. Please mention that you would like your donation to be earmarked for the restructuring and expansion fund to grow the seed that the Montgomery County Community Foundation has planted.
