For those who doubt the power and stability of adding actual walls and doors to a medical office, look no further then the newly renovated and expanded Borland Free Clinic.
One year after a $1.5 million capital fundraising campaign was launched, the remodeled Tualatin medical clinic now boasts seven exam rooms — with walls and doors replacing the former moveable curtain walls — the same you would find at any doctor’s office.
Located in the lower level of Rolling Hills Community Church, the expansion added 1,500 more square feet, bumping it to just under 5,000 square feet.
One fan of the renovated clinic is Dr. Chelsea Ban, the Borland Free Clinic medical director who was on board since the clinic opened seven years ago.
“Patient privacy was always a drawback to our previous space,” she said in a statement. “No one wants to have sensitive conversations, let alone sensitive procedures, done behind curtains. This new space will not only give them the privacy they deserve, but also attract more medical providers to volunteer with us.”
To celebrate, the 3550 S.W. Borland Road clinic is hosting a ribbon-cutting from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 9.
Jordan Skornik, who has served as the clinic’s executive director since 2022, led a recent tour of the clinic, which never shut down during the renovation process.
The clinic caters to the economically disadvantaged (those uninsured or underinsured) and others who might fall into the medical insurance gap. It also benefits those on the Oregon Health Plan who might have a gap between the time they get to see an assigned physician, said Skornik.
He too is pleased with what the new space has been transformed into.
“Since we opened in 2017, this was our dream and our goal. It just took a long time to materialize,” he said. “But once we set to accomplishing this, it really just took a little over two years.”
While Skornik helped shepherd the renovation, he said lots of generous people made it happen.
“We had a lot of significant donations, most of them were anonymous,” he said. However, major grants included $350,000 from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and $15,000 from the Maybelle Clark Macdonald fund, the latter named after the late Portland-area philanthropist.
The remodel is a major step from the time the Borland Free Clinic — the brainchild of a handful of members at Rolling Hills Community Church — began as a diabetes education clinic before offering primary care the following year.
“It feels more significant when you just think that we just opened two years before COVID,” Skornik said.
He said the goal of the clinic has always been to care for the whole person, including their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Among other dedicated spaces at the Borland Free Clinic are a triage room, an education room, a large break room that doubles as a large meeting space or education room, and an optional prayer room.
And while the faith-based clinic doesn’t charge for services, Skornik is quick to let patients know: “Even though they’re getting free care, they’re getting the same quality of care they would get elsewhere.”
The clinic’s new hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, for both appointments and walk-ins.
Skornik said some of the services provided include a mobile dental van, provided by the Tigard-headquartered Northwest Medical Teams, which visits on Wednesday mornings.
Also, in the same lower level of Rolling Hills Community Church is Tualatin School House Pantry, which serves the nutritional needs of those who live in local zip codes who might need a hand up.
In addition, Ride Connection recently expanded its shuttle service to include stops at the Borland Free Clinic.
Mike Garrison, Borland Free Clinic’s president and board chair, said he was proud of what has been accomplished as well.
“This has truly been a group effort, with many people and organizations coming together to support members of our community in fundamental, life-enhancing ways,” he said in a statement.
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