Jan. 5, 2026

Doctors Making a Difference: Jens Metzger, MD

For patients without access to preventive care or regular care for chronic diseases, that often means they turn to the emergency room-the most expensive option. Battle Ground Health Care, serving patients in Clark County, is aiming to provide a no-cost detour for medically underserved patients to manage chronic conditions and avoid ending up in the emergency room. Clinic medical director Jens Metzger, MD, talked with WSMA Reports about the community-supported organization's mission and what makes volunteer work enriching for him.

WSMA Reports: Can you share with our readers a bit about what Battle Ground Health Care does and its mission?

Dr. Metzger: Since 2011, our emphasis at Battle Ground Health Care has been to be a medical home for chronic disease management in the underserved Clark County community. Our team provides dental, medical, dietary, and rehabilitation therapies along with insurance and resource navigation and pastoral care services.

How did you get involved with the clinic and what does your role as medical director entail?

I answered an ad in the newspaper to get involved in expanding medical care to all members of our local community. My role is to help with oversight of our multiple medical services while supervising medical care by our internal medicine residents and medical students.

Is the care team made up of all volunteers? Where else does the clinic get support from?

Our team of 200 volunteers provided an equivalent of $1 million dollars of resources to our clients in 2024 supported through a combination of grants, private donors, and volunteer medical clinicians. We are so grateful to our nucleus of paid office staff that are like family for the patients. The support from our community health care systems Vancouver Clinic, Peace Health, and Legacy Health in providing lab, imaging, and preventative care services is invaluable to keep services available and affordable.

Why do you think this type of community-supported care is so important?

There is a lot of real, daily fear in our underserved community. This fear can marginalize individuals from keeping up with their own health care. These resources provide vital support, making it possible for community members to prioritize their emotional and physical health.

Are there certain areas of preventive care that you think are most impactful for keeping patients from having to go to the emergency room for care?

It is a paradoxical health care system that readily provides expensive emergent and inpatient services to patients acutely yet has them face the challenge of inadequate primary care resources for affordable medications and lifestyle management to educate and enrich their health care journey.

Is there an aspect of providing volunteer care that is most fulfilling for you?

It is a greater gift to receive than give working with people who by comparison have so little yet are so appreciative of the time and attention spent addressing their needs. It is so enlightening that a small act of compassion can create a sense of belonging and importance for someone who really needs it.

This article was featured in the January/February 2026 issue of WSMA Reports, WSMA's print magazine.