Cook Community Clinic in Huntersville has served more than 10,000 people with free medical and dental care since its founding. The nonprofit is now recruiting healthcare professionals and Spanish-speaking volunteers to keep pace with demand.
Executive Director Sarah Porter discussed the clinic's work and volunteer needs during a Friday, Oct. 23 appearance on WSIC's Good Morning LKN, a local radio program.
The clinic traces its roots to 1998, when Dr. David Cook began seeing a handful of patients in the back of a grocery store one night a week. According to the clinic's website, the need quickly outgrew what he could handle alone.
In 2001, Dr. Cook and April Cook partnered with four area churches to formally launch the Lake Norman Community Health Clinic in the basement of First Baptist Church of Huntersville. Davidson United Methodist, St. Mark Catholic and Meadow Lake Presbyterian also helped start the effort. Within its first year, the clinic provided more than 1,600 appointments for 500 patients.
The operation grew. It moved to a 4,000-square-foot building in Huntersville in 2007 and expanded its hours the following year, more than doubling its patient capacity. A 1,500-square-foot expansion completed in 2024 added two dental operatories and two medical exam rooms, bringing dental services on-site for the first time.
The clinic now provides more than 6,000 medical appointments for over 1,600 patients each year, according to its website. It holds a Gold Rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) Quality Standards Program.
Who qualifies
Residents are eligible if they are uninsured, live in Mecklenburg County or southern Iredell County (zip codes 28115 and 28117) and earn up to 250% of the federal poverty level as a household. First-time patients must complete an eligibility screening before scheduling an appointment. Screenings are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Volunteers needed
About 75% of the clinic's patients are Spanish-speaking, according to the clinic's volunteer page. Spanish interpreters serve as translators during medical visits, and the clinic requires front-office volunteers to speak Spanish as well.
The clinic also welcomes healthcare professionals, college students seeking medical-field experience and special-event volunteers. Dr. Cook remains active as co-founder and medical director, and the staff includes a physician assistant, a family nurse practitioner, a registered nurse and a dental assistant, among others.
One patient, identified only as Lee on the clinic's website, described the experience: "The clinic is not a patient mill, rather it is a place where the patient has the time to talk about current issues and the clinical staff is able to guide you to the right path."
Cook Community Clinic is located at 14230 Hunters Rd., Huntersville. Residents can call 704-316-6611 or visit cookcommunityclinic.org to schedule a screening or learn about volunteer opportunities.
