The Standards of Excellence

WAFCC believes that free and charitable clinics should be guided by established norms of care that will enrich the care of people in greatest need. The WAFCC Standards of Excellence offer measurable guidance specific to FCCs. The Standards are a strategic dynamic tool to help FCCs meet the challenges of health care delivery. Measurement of the Standards provide direction for goal setting, planning to meet goals, evaluating plans, and for guiding projects and actions. The Standards can also be used in creating new FCCs and for self-assessment by existing clinics.

Benefits of Standards

Did you know that the Standards have already helped our clinics? Once a clinic has reached the standards outlined, they receive a Seal of Excellence. The following are the benefits that clinics have received since earning their Seals of Excellence:
  • Better reporting of statistical outcomes
  • Increased funding- the seals of excellence look good on grant applications
  • Sustainability​
  • ​Improve clinic flow for patients and volunteers
  • Provided structure to expand clinic staffing
  • Increased level of quality of care

Need Assistance?

WAFCC's manager, Connor Doppler, is happy to help you conduct a self-assessment and work towards achieving the Standards! Please refer to the contact information below for all inquiries.
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Manager's Contact Information:
Email: Connor.Doppler@wafcclinics.org
Phone number: (763) 567-9572

What our clinics are saying: 

  • "It gave me a framework to get many unknown or weak admin processes in place, especially areas of HR!" -Lake Area Free Clinic
  • "We have been able to tell donors that we hold the Gold level Standard of Excellence, which has impressed many donors and funders." -Health Care Network
  • "Life at the free clinic definitely improved after the policies were in place. There will always be policies to write so I have no fear of ever losing my volunteer position!" -St. Vincent de Paul Merrill
  • "This has raised our level of quality at the Hope Clinic and we use this to let our funders know that we are a quality focused Clinic as well as a patient focused Clinic." -Hope Clinic and Care Center
  • "The standards provided the necessary structure for the clinic to expand clinic staffing." -Benevolent Specialist Project
  • ​"This has helped give more structure to our clinic which in turn has helped with some of the workflow." -Albrecht Free Clinic
This project is funded in part by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment of the Medical College of Wisconsin. The information contained in the WAFCC Standards of Excellence is not intended to serve as legal advice nor should it substitute for legal counsel. The WAFCC Standards of Excellence is not exhaustive, and readers are encouraged to seek additional detailed technical guidance to supplement the information contained herein.