The Rhode Island Free Clinic took a thoughtful approach to finding its new leader this year, and after a concerted search, the Providence-based clinic has welcomed Cranston resident Jessica Eagles as its new chief executive officer.

Eagles succeeds Forrest A. Daniels, who had been the CEO of the clinic since 2022. He left the agency in March 2024.

Eagles grew up in New Bedford in humble beginnings. Her community surroundings and personal life influenced her professional path.

From studying criminal justice in college and working with people who were incarcerated to those with developmental delays, behavioral-health issues and substance-use disorders, Eagles found her calling in helping marginalized communities have better access to care.

“That's really what got me on the path of working with vulnerable populations,” Eagles said. “It's absolutely my passion. It's what gets me out of bed every day to do my work.”

The Free Clinic provides free health care to people who have no health insurance and cannot afford it. Founded in 1998, the clinic is completely funded and supported by grants and donations.

It also acts as an educational hub for aspiring health professionals, through internships, fellowships and residencies. They serve more than 2,000 patients through volunteer medical providers.

Before her new role at the clinic, Eagles was the practice director at Thundermist Health Center, with facilities in Woonsocket, West Warwick and South County.

There, she provided operational leadership and oversight of a “nonprofit, federally qualified health center that serves over 22,000 unique patients from underserved communities in Rhode Island,” according to a press release from the clinic.

Eagles’ professional experience and passion for serving marginalized communities is something that drew the clinic’s board of directors to her as a strong candidate for the role.

“She's just a warm and caring person, and she has demonstrated through the different paid and volunteer roles that this is the population she wants to serve,” said Carrie Bridges, chair of the Free Clinic’s board of directors. “And we want someone who wants [to work with] this population.”

The extensive search began in the spring and included an in-depth application process, which allowed the board to take the time to identify the best fit for a new CEO. Bridges says she believes that is exactly who they have found in Eagles. 

“At the end of the day, the Rhode Island Free Clinic is a health care clinic,” Bridges said. “We need someone who has really strong clinic operational experience. Jessica brought that.”

As the clinic’s new CEO, Eagles responsibilities include overseeing all daily operations of the clinic, maintaining the financial health of the clinic, community development and fundraising, creating and sustaining partnerships with stakeholders. 

She brings a breadth of experience and knowledge to the job. And as a self-proclaimed life-long student, she continues to pursue education.

She started her MBA in 2022 in health care administration at Southern New Hampshire University, and is also finishing up a master’s degree in social studies from Rhode Island College.

“I will always be a student. I will never be able to stop learning,” Eagles said. “It's just part of who I am as a person. I am a growth-mindset type human and leader. I always want to learn more, not for my own gain, but to be able to pass my knowledge on to serve folks in some kind of way.”

Upon arriving at the clinic not quite a month ago, Eagles hit the ground running on new initiatives such as a diabetes prevention program and a self-monitoring blood-pressure program.

Her goals include improving the Free Clinic’s efficiency, assessing its capacity to grow and serve more patients, strengthening ties with donors and other partners and boosting the number of volunteer medical providers.

“My hope is that she continues to feel like she is learning and growing and that she is both being enriched as she is enriching the clinic,” Bridges said. “[I hope] that she'll be with us for the long-term, that she'll feel successful in her role, and that she will really just integrate into this beautiful community in South Providence.”

As Eagles prepares for the new year, she is grateful to serve at such an important place in the community.

“I'm very lucky to have been selected to work with such an amazing group of humans who want to take care of these patients, and they inspire me with their passion and dedication to our patients,” she said.

When Eagles is not in the office, her best way to unwind and relax is spending time with family and friends. She says having a strong support system is how she has stayed true to her path.

“My son's 11 and he's the highlight of my life, along with my husband,” Eagles shared. “I have a very loving and supportive husband. And I have to say, I wouldn't be able to do what I do without the love and support of my husband and my kiddo.”