History:

 The turbulent and idealistic Sixties revealed a critical need for urban indigent health care in America.   A new kind of clinic – the free clinic – appeared in response.  The first free clinic was started in San Francisco and is still in operation.  In Virginia, two free clinics were operating in the Richmond area by the early Seventies.  A college student from Roanoke was among their volunteers.  He was 23-year-old Henry Bell, son of Dr. Houston Bell, and he returned home with a mission.