[2] The clinic was first formed in 1968 by a nurse, two doctors and a minister and in 1970, was located on Floyd Avenue at the Emerson House of the First Unitarian Church before moving to their current location on Thompson Street.
[3][4] It is considered to be an early example of free clinics, and the oldest of its kind in Virginia.
[5][6] The Health Brigade operates with both paid employees and unpaid volunteers, and clients of the clinic must undergo a financial screening to determine their eligibility.
As a whole, the Health Brigade offers primary care services and testing and treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases.
In 2016, the Fan Free Clinic changed its name to Health Brigade.