Health Care Delivered With Compassion and Dignity
The Challenge
Thousands of people living in Lane County and working in low paying jobs have no access to health care. Even if an employer offers a health care benefit, the cost of the employee's co-pay may be unaffordable. Without public funds or medical insurance money, citizens in Lane County faced the challenge of meeting the health care needs of Lane County's working poor.
The Solution
In 2001, a group of concerned Lane County residents established The Volunteers In Medicine Clinic (VIMC) to draw extensively on the skills of volunteers to provide primary health care to the working poor. VIMC runs primarily through volunteers. Its medical director and few staff members coordinate and supervise 55 to 60 volunteer providers and 350 volunteer support staff. A variety of health professionals, as well as lay volunteers, provide supervised support in nursing, dispensary, reception and other areas. Students from Lane Community College, Oregon State University, and Oregon Health Sciences University rotate through VIMC at times. An additional very helpful resource is the placement of AARP members at VIMC.
The Outcome
As of early 2006, VIMC has treated 5,879 patients in 40,030 appointments. Due to identified needs in our patient population, we have developed special programs in diabetes education and mental health. We also offer a dispensary and Patient Assistance Program so our patients are better able to obtain medications. Because many specialists in the community work with VIMC on a pro bono basis, we are able to refer patients for special procedures, surgeries and other follow up when needed. VIMC depends heavily on volunteers in all areas of its work. A true community endeavor, VIMC is always looking for volunteers, without whom VIMC cannot serve as many patients as need its help. Funded 30% through grants and 70% from private donations--and without any funds from government programs or medical insurance--VIMC also welcomes monetary donations.
The Organization
The Volunteers In Medicine Clinic was established to understand and serve the health and wellness needs of the immediate household families of the under served medically who live and/or work in Lane county Oregon.
more about the organization