Latest News from Volunteers in Medicine

Spring 2011:

Volunteer Spotlight from Clinic by the Bay

To date, we have trained 53 volunteers who have contributed over 1900 hours of service, valued at $68,000. Karen and Loretta are two of our non-medical volunteers who have been with us from the beginning.

Karen Spradling first contacted Clinic by the Bay after reading an article about Coming of Age - Bay Area, one of our key community partners and a volunteer organization that harnesses the experience, talents and skills of people 50+ . Karen participated in our very first volunteer training in July 2010. She quickly proved to be a great fit at the clinic, given her extensive background in health care and business administration, her strong computer skills, and a familiarity with medical terminology.

As an eligibility screener, Karen interviews potential patients to verify that they meet the requirements to receive our services. She also conducts initial interviews with potential volunteers and helps us maintain accurate volunteer tracking through our online volunteer management database.

Karen says, “I feel I’m really making a difference when I’m here at the clinic, and by extension, I’m helping those who really need health care the most, people who otherwise aren’t getting the care they need. Patients who do find us are so grateful for the care they receive, and they are every bit as deserving of good quality health care as I am.”

Loretta Taylor first learned about us from her husband Lachlan, after he made a surprise donation to the clinic. Equally inspired by the clinic’s mission, she immediately signed up for our first volunteer training. She brings to the clinic over 24 years of experience in patient education and early childhood development.

Currently, Loretta welcomes our patients and provides administrative support, including the critical setup of our exam rooms every week. Most notably, she created the clinic’s official safety procedure manual. She hopes to become even more involved in patient education as our health education programming continues to expand.

“It feels good to walk into Clinic by the Bay every day that I’m there,” Loretta shares proudly. “The energy is wonderful, the atmosphere is positive, and people are there because they want to be there. Whether I’m answering the phone or stocking the exam rooms, each week I know I have a part in ensuring each patient’s needs are met.”

For more information about San Francisco's VIM clinic, visit Clinic by the Bay.