Four years ago, a friend recommended the Riverside Free Clinic to John Ciulla. A resident of Rialto, Ciulla, 65, has been a dedicated patient of the downtown Riverside clinic ever since. He returns to it periodically, he said, because of the care and warmth he receives from its volunteers: UC Riverside undergraduate and medical students.
“Their attentiveness and support have created a welcoming environment where I feel seen,” he said. “The clinic has had a significantly good impact on my health, particularly through the dietary advice and consistent medical guidance I receive.”
Ciulla credits the UCR medical students with helping him stay on track with healthier habits and he appreciates the free medications he receives. He has no regular healthcare provider; the clinic plays a central role in helping him maintain his well-being.
The Riverside Free Clinic began 21 years ago, the brainchild of Richard Murl Wing, a professor emeritus at UCR who taught chemistry and biophysics. The student-run clinic, which operates from a Riverside church every other Wednesday evening, serves two vital communities: underserved patients and aspiring medical professionals. It is primarily managed by medical students from the UCR School of Medicine.
“Most of our patients are older or experiencing homelessness, many with chronic health issues,” said Wing, who regularly visits the clinic at nearly 89 years of age. “They often view us as their primary care providers. What they receive from our medical students — time, attention, and compassion — often exceeds what’s possible in traditional settings. Meanwhile, our medical students gain hands-on experience, learning how to connect with and care for patients, while UCR undergraduates assist with operations and outreach.”
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the clinic runs entirely on donations and grants, requiring about $40,000 a year to cover essentials like labs, medication, insurance, and rent.
“While nothing about running the clinic is free, everything we offer our patients is,” Wing said. “Both my wife, a retired public health nurse, and I have poured our hearts into this work. I originally stepped in as a faculty representative simply because I was available and known to the students. That simple decision led to one of the most meaningful chapters of my life.”
The clinic offers a wide range of free primary care services, including lab work, pharmacy, social services, and health resources such as hygiene kits and lung health supplies. While not equipped for emergency care, the clinic plays a vital role in connecting patients — many of whom are uninsured or underserved — to long-term healthcare through the Riverside University Health System.
Karim Jamaleddine, 22, soon to be a second-year medical student at UCR, is one of the clinic’s volunteers and current co-medical student manager. He attended UCR as an undergraduate and started volunteering at the clinic in 2022 — two years as an undergraduate, and now as a medical student.
He said the clinic operates through the collaboration of UCR medical and undergraduate students, Western University pharmacy and dental students, Riverside City College nursing students, and others.
“Volunteers handle everything from patient care to organizing outreach events,” he said. “The clinic’s mission extends beyond treatment; it strives to empower patients and provide a safe, welcoming space for care. For us, it enhances classroom learning by providing hands-on patient care and leadership experience. We have received strong, positive feedback from the community, which reinforces our commitment to serve.”
According to Jamaleddine, the clinic hopes for a future where its existence is no longer necessary, a vision echoed by the medical students’ faculty advisor at UCR, Dr. Nathaniel McLaughlin.
“Until then, we remain steadfast in offering care and bridging healthcare gaps, driven not by obligation, but by a sense of purpose and commitment to the community,” Jamaleddine said.
Like Jamaleddine, Jade Dai, 25, volunteers at the Riverside Free Clinic and is preparing for her second year at the UCR School of Medicine. One of her most meaningful commitments, she said, has been volunteering at the clinic, where she serves as a core coordinator alongside Jamaleddine. She helps organize the involvement of medical students and works closely with physicians, many from UCR and some from nearby institutions.
“We ensure clinic operations run smoothly and address challenges like managing high patient demands and maintaining communication with attending physicians,” she said. “We often work late into the evening, staying until the last patient is seen.”
Dai emphasized the clinic not only offers clinical care but also connects patients with social services and long-term resources. She said clinic volunteers gain insight into systemic healthcare gaps and learn how to meet patients’ needs with empathy and practical solutions.
“The clinic is more than a volunteer site,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for us to develop leadership skills, apply medical knowledge, and build long-term relationships with patients. I see the clinic as a foundation for becoming a compassionate, community-centered physician and encourage other medical students to get involved.”
Drake Maestas, 25, has similar words of encouragement for UCR medical students who may be on the fence about volunteering their time at the clinic. Volunteering has deepened his understanding of healthcare access disparities and UCR’s broader mission to address them. A key part of his medical school journey has been his involvement with the clinic, where he has volunteered for the past year and now serves as a core coordinator. He said the clinic is a judgment-free space that connects patients with social services, medical supplies, and primary care referrals, all without asking for personal information or payment.
“This clinic also provides continuous learning opportunities — whether through planned lectures or new partnerships, like a sports medicine initiative,” he said. “It has a strong support system, dynamic environment, and rewarding relationships for volunteers to build with returning patients. For those interested in community care or looking to grow as hands-on physicians, the Riverside Free Clinic is a good place to start.”
Advocating for underserved and vulnerable populations, especially elderly patients who often face intersecting challenges related to age, disability, and limited access to care, is what drew Najia Saleem, 23, to the clinic last November. Since then, she has conducted patient interviews, full physical exams, and collaborated with attending physicians to create treatment plans.
“The clinic offers much more than medical care; it provides mental health services, social support, and resources like housing and food assistance,” she said. “One of the most meaningful aspects for me is helping patients access holistic support that improves their well-being.”
She said the experience she has gained at the clinic has shaped her understanding of what it means to be a physician rooted in empathy and community.
“I’ve seen firsthand how language, cultural understanding, and consistent care can make patients feel seen and valued, such as when I helped a Hindi-speaking patient access care in his native language,” she said. “Stories like his remind me why I chose this path: to build trust, reduce barriers, and deliver dignified healthcare, especially to those who have been marginalized by the system.”
Saleem is passionate about realizing the clinic’s mission to treat every person with dignity, regardless of the person’s background or legal status.
“Healthcare is a human right,” she said. “I hope to continue investing my time and energy in building more equitable systems for all.”
Header image shows UCR students who volunteer at the Riverside Free Clinic. (UCR/Stan Lim)
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