History of Promise Healthcare
A volunteer-staffed health center was created in the 60s to address the issue of high infant mortality in the African-American community. It has since transformed into a health center with staff physicians dedicated to providing primary health care to the underserved in our community. This health center was named for Frances Nelson when it moved into her former home in 1969.
Frances Nelson & Promise Healthcare
Frances Nelson was a significant figure in the history of the Champaign-Urbana community. In the 1940s, when African-American children found themselves without a home, Ms. Nelson welcomed them with open arms and put a roof over their heads. She encouraged them to become outstanding members of the community.
In 2006, the Health Center moved to its current location on Bloomington Road in Champaign. Just five years later, in 2011, the Frances Nelson Dental Center opened in the same location. In
2012, ownership of both clinics was transferred to a local entity, Promise Healthcare.
Promise Healthcare has continued to expand to meet the needs of the community. In 2025, the organization opened a new clinic location, Promise
Healthcare – Kenyon, further increasing access to care for Champaign-Urbana residents. Additionally, Promise Healthcare recently opened a pharmacy at the Frances Nelson Clinic, helping patients access affordable medications conveniently in the same location where they receive care.
Today, Promise Healthcare operates multiple clinic locations throughout Champaign-Urbana and a school-based location in Rantoul. The Promise Healthcare – Frances Nelson Clinic, located at 819 Bloomington Road, offers medical care for all ages, adult and teen counseling, dental care, adult psychiatry, a full-service pharmacy, access to free or affordable medications, and an outreach and enrollment staff to assist with Medicaid or Marketplace insurance enrollment.
The Promise Healthcare – Urbana Clinic, located at 1002 S Race Street inside Urbana High School, offers medical care for all ages, teen counseling, school physicals, sports physicals, STI testing, and birth control.
Promise Healthcare – Neil Street offers adult psychiatry, adult counseling, medication management, primary medical care, and discount programs for psychiatric medications.
Promise Healthcare – Rantoul, located at 424 E Wabash Street, is a school-based clinic that offers medical care for all ages, teen counseling, school physicals, sports physicals, STI testing, and birth control.
The Promise Healthcare – Kenyon Clinic, located inside the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, provides additional access to primary medical care, behavioral health services, women’s health and prenatal care, and telehealth psychiatry in partnership with public health services.
Promise Healthcare continues to grow and expand locations and services to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community.