The Worcester Evening Free Medical Service Program, commonly known for the past 35 years as the Epworth Free Medical Program, will operate for the final time at Epworth United Methodist Church on Monday, January 5th. Beginning Monday, January 12, 2026, the program will reopen at a new location under a new name: the Hart-Wood Free Medical Program, located at First Unitarian Church, 90 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608. While the name and location are changing, the program’s mission, services, and volunteer caregivers remain the same.
This move, in coordination with the enthusiastic support of the First Unitarian congregation, will better position the program to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community’s most vulnerable populations, while maintaining a strong presence in the same part of the city where patients have long relied on free care. Because individuals have been coming to the Epworth site for decades, it is essential that this change is communicated clearly and widely to avoid any disruption in access. To ensure a smooth transition and continuity of care:
A volunteer will be stationed at Epworth for the first month following the move to direct patients to the new location.
Clear signage will be posted on the doors at Epworth and will remain in place even after volunteers are no longer stationed there.
We kindly ask for your assistance in sharing this information with your staff, clients, community partners, and broader populations that you serve. Your cooperation is critical to ensuring that no one goes without essential care simply because they were unaware of the move. As a reminder, the Worcester Free Care Collaborative has six locations (as outlined in the attached document) and everyone is welcome at our programs regardless of background, beliefs, insurance status, socioeconomic barriers, or life circumstances.
