The Hope Medical∙Dental Clinic is a non-profit,
501(c)(3), FREE medical and dental clinic in Dover, Delaware.
Our Story
Dr. Vicenta G. Marquez fondly remembers answering medical questions and giving advice at the most unexpected places such as church and grocery stores. She thought, "I need a place for these people."
Already a member of the Filipino Medical Association of Delaware, whose heroic mission was annual medical trips to provide care abroad, she wondered, "Why not do the same thing here, in Delaware?"
After discussion with the Filipino Medical Association and an unmatched determination, a group of Filipino physicians started The Hope Medical Clinic, a medical clinic that provided FREE medical services. That was October 2003.
Founders of the Hope Clinic, Drs. Vincenta G. Marquez, Venerando J. Maximo, Raphael Zaragoza, Jose Pamintuan, and Basilio Bautista strategically chose The Modern Maturity Center (MMC) - it was centrally located and accessible via public transportation. The Board of The MMC generously provided a small storage space which was converted into a reception area and exam rooms (divided by a curtain to create two exam rooms). Patients received free medications that were mostly collected as donations from local physicians and pharmaceutical representatives.
In 2007, Dr Thomas Mercer joined the Hope Medical Clinic to provide dental services. Under his direction the dental clinic has expanded to provide more than just basic dental services.
To this day, The Hope Medical∙Dental Clinic honors its founders commitment to providing access to FREE quality medical and dental care to those who are uninsured and medically underserved.
Impact of the Hope Clinic
As the only FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL CLINIC in Delaware, we are acutely aware of the shortage of affordable health care services and recognize that medically underserved and uninsured people are often forced to make difficult choices between medical and dental care and paying for food, rent and other basic necessities. The Hope Clinic strives to fill critical gaps in the healthcare system for this population. Our intention is to improve quality of life and alleviate the strain on community resources.
To this day, the Clinic is staffed by volunteer medical and dental professionals who provide care in a private, community-based clinic at no cost to patients.
Mission
The mission of the Hope Medical∙Dental Clinic, Inc. is to promote the health and well-being of adults by providing the highest quality of primary medical and dental care to medically underserved and uninsured people at NO COST. It is also our mission to expand the health care safety net to marginalized communities through collaborations and partnerships within our community. The belief that health care is a right for all steadfastly remains the foundation of Hope Medical Dental Clinic.