On-site IUD implementation in a student-run free clinic

Uninsured populations face disproportionately high rates of unplanned pregnancy due to financial and structural barriers to effective contraception. While long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), offers high efficacy for pregnancy prevention, implementation of IUDs within independent student-run free clinics (SRFCs) can be limited by a lack of hospital affiliation or government funding. This community case study details a sustainable model for integrating IUD services into an independent SRFC in Northern Illinois. By partnering with the humanitarian organization Direct Relief to secure donated devices and establishing a multidisciplinary workflow, the clinic successfully implemented a LARC program at a SRFC, demonstrating a sustainable approach to expanding reproductive health services for uninsured patients. The implementation process involved developing standardized clinical protocols, inventory management systems within the electronic health record, and interprofessional training for twenty-one student team members under faculty supervision. As of April 2025, the program is operational with a rolling waitlist and a projected capacity of one to two insertions per clinic session. This model demonstrates that independent SRFCs can expand reproductive health services for vulnerable populations through community partnerships and structured volunteer oversight, providing a replicable framework for other independent clinics to improve contraceptive access for the uninsured.