DELAWARE'S ONLY FREE MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND WELLNESS CENTER

Hope Wellness Center (formerly Hope Medical Dental Clinic) was founded in 2003 by Dr. Vincenta G. Marquez, along with a group of physicians from the Filipino Medical Association. After an annual medical mission trip abroad, Dr. Marquez had an idea to bring a free clinic to Delaware. Partnering with Drs. Venerando J. Maximo, Raphael Zaragoza, Jose Parminuan, and Basilio Bautista, the group founded the clinic's first home at the Modern Maturity Center (MMC).

In 2005, Hope moved to its new home in MMC's Medical Arts Building where it has been located ever since. In 2007, Dr. Thomas Mercer joined the Center and expanded its services to include dental care. Under his leadership, the dental clinic grew beyond basic dental services, meeting the increasing demand for free dental care.

In September 2025, we became Hope Wellness Center, with a vision of providing whole-person compassionate care to people in need. Our goal with the name change was to remove the "clinic" stigma and become more welcoming for all who need us, and to set the stage for expanding services in the future to better meet our clients' needs. 

Today, Hope Wellness Center continues the founders' original vision of providing completely free care using services provided by professionals who volunteer their time. Together with its donors and volunteers, Hope Wellness Center is committed to creating a healthier Delaware for all.