WATERLOO - The patients started to arrive as clinic volunteers were setting up.

A woman filled out paperwork as medical professionals set up privacy partitions in the next room. Except for an exam table and a scale just outside the door, the space resembles a board room, a long conference table and chairs pushed up against a wall.

But the setup serves its purpose. Once a week, the Eastside Ministerial Alliance opens its doors so volunteer medical professionals can provide free, basic health care for non-life-threatening illnesses and ailments. An individual's income, insurance or lack of coverage is irrelevant.

"This is actually a free clinic," said the Rev. Michael Coleman, vice president of the Eastside Ministerial Alliance. "There is no sliding scale."

The Eastside Ministerial Alliance Free Clinic at 205 Adams St. is open from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

The walk-in clinic, which opened in November 2003, is back up and running at full strength after having to cut back on hours last year, said Martha Frazier, director of the Eastside Ministerial Alliance. After a volunteer physician retired last February, the clinic had to close its doors at least one night a month through October.

Operations are back to normal, thanks to the commitment of existing clinic staff and new volunteers, Frazier said. She relies on more than 30 volunteer health care professionals to fill slots throughout the year. The lineup includes chiropractors and a dermatologist.

Throughout the clinic's history, doctors continue to step forward to answer the call for assistance.

"When we put forth an effort … a great response came," Coleman said.

Frazier is always open to more volunteers. Backup comes in handy, as scheduling conflicts and emergencies will occur. Last year, the clinic had to close for three weeks in a row, she said.

Without a free clinic, patients that lack the ability to pay for basic health care would likely show up at the emergency room for non-emergency problems, said Dr. Russell Adams. Or they might avoid addressing treatable conditions.

Adams, an internal medicine specialist, started volunteering at the free clinic four months ago.

"We have a very high need for a free clinic in our community, no doubt about that," Adams said.

Though numbers have dropped off a bit lately - which Frazier attributes to last year's closures and a relatively new clinic at the Salvation Army - it's not uncommon for the Eastside Ministerial Alliance Free Clinic to see up to 25 patients in a night, she said.

On a recent Thursday, Adams volunteered two hours at the clinic after putting in a 12-hour workday. If he was tired, it didn't show. Adams considers the volunteer work part of his duty as a physician.

"Patients are very appreciative, and it's fun," he said.

Waterloo resident Connie Rust visits the Eastside Ministerial Alliance for three reasons: It's free. It's quick. It's convenient.

"And they treat you just like you're people," Rust said. "Not like trash."

Since losing her job several years ago, Rust said she's struggled to find employment and lacks the ability to pay for health care. So when she has a physical ailment, she knows she has options.

"It's been a Godsend," Rust said.

During her visit, Rust patiently waits to see Adams, the physician on duty. Others come to see the chiropractor.

Dennis O'Hara of O'Hara Chiropractic volunteers because "it just seemed like a good thing to do."

Some nights at the walk-in clinic are busy. Others nights, less so.

"You just do what you can," O'Hara said.

Long-term solutions are needed to address problems associated with health care costs, Adams said. He believes those solutions will eventually come.

"But until that time, we are going to need clinics like this one to provide care for those who fall through the cracks," Adams said.

Frazier only wishes she had the ability to provide more assistance. If the clinic doctor on duty orders lab work or writes a prescription, the patient can receive the tests or drugs for free, Frazier said. The clinic lacks the ability to fill outside prescriptions.

"It's something that I thoroughly enjoy, working with people," Frazier said.

"My only frustration is I don't have the funds (to help everybody)," she added.

For more information, call the Eastside Ministerial Alliance at (319) 235-5580.

Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.