New Benefit Saves VIM Clinics Money

Volunteers in Medicine has entered into a master agreement with the CommonWealth Purchasing Group (CWPG), LLC so that all VIM clinics have the opportunity to join CWPG and save a significant amount of money on supplies, equipment and services.

The Viola Startzman Free Clinic in Wooster, OH, Community VIM in West Chester, PA and the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic in Stuart, FL have already joined and are realizing significant savings on their medical, dental and office supplies.

CommonWealth Purchasing Group’s success is based on sound planning and management. All vendors are carefully screened and tightly managed to meet member’s needs. CWPG also provides on-going consultation about effective purchasing program management, and complete cost comparison analysis for members and prospective members that calculates exactly how much money a clinic can save by purchasing through a CommonWealth Purchasing Group vendor.

There are no fees and no obligations to join CWPG. The program is completely supported by administrative fees paid by participating vendors. Review the CWPG Fall catalog, visit www.cwpurchasing.com or contact a CWPG representative for a cost comparison:

Tom Halliday, Member Resource Consultant
(617) 988-2257 or thalliday@cwpurchasing.com

Scott Halterman, Administrative Coordinator
(617) 988-2276 or shalterman@cwpurchasing.com.  

AMA 2010 Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award for Excellence in Volunteerism 

The American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation, in association with Pfizer Inc, is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award for Excellence in Volunteerism. This award recognizes the work of a senior physician who provides treatment to U.S. patients who lack access to health care. Nominations are due by November 16, 2009.

Visit the AMA website at www.amafoundation.org/go/excellence for details and an application. We strongly encourage all VIM clinics to nominate a deserving physician for this national award. 

Leahy Introduces Legislation to Provide Relief for Free Health Care Clinics

In August, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced legislation to expand the scope of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to provide malpractice coverage for board members, employees, contractors and officers of free clinics. The current law provides medical malpractice coverage only for physicians who volunteer in free clinics.

The expanded coverage will parallel what is currently available to federally qualified health care centers. This legislation would not only benefit the 73 VIM clinics but all free clinics across the country that provide essential preventive and primary health care services to millions of uninsured patients.

VIM on FaceBook

Become a FaceBook fan of Volunteers in Medicine to get the latest news from the national office and VIM clinics across the country. We encourage all staff, volunteers, and friends of Volunteers in Medicine to become fans and join the conversation.

Vintage McConnell

Visit our website www.volunteersinmedicine.org to view a recently rediscovered video of Dr. McConnell. This video does an excellent job of describing the VIM model and the Culture of Caring as well as providing an introduction to the founder of Volunteers in Medicine, Dr. Jack McConnell.

Bette Grey from the Columbia County VIM Cinic in Mifflinville, PA told us that she is using this video to introduce him to her staff and board. If you would like a DVD of this video, please contact our office. Many thanks to the VIM Clinic in Hilton Head, SC for sharing it and Doug Miles for producing the video.

News from VIM Alliance Clinics

VIM Alliance members are encouraged to share stories about successful fundraising events, clinical programs, awards, and other news items of interest. Please send your news stories to skelley@vimi.org so that we may consider them for publication in our newsletter or on our Facebook page. Thank you.

Franlin County VIM

The Franklin County Volunteers in Medicine (FCVIM) Clinic in Louisburg, NC will commemorate its fifth year in operation with Hope For the Uninsured, a weekend of events scheduled for October 9 – 11.

The weekend will begin on Friday evening with a candlelight vigil for the uninsured. A 48-mile Ride for Hope bike ride is scheduled for Saturday morning with music, food, face painting and other fun activities. The dedication of the FCVIM clinic will take place on Saturday evening with a reception and dinner. The building will be named The James O. Hacker, Jr. Wellness Center to honor the life and work of this remarkable man who assisted in the development of the FCVIM Clinic. The weekend will conclude with local church services and prayer vigils.

Jim joined the staff of the Volunteers in Medicine national office in February, 2002, as the first Program Consultant for North and South Carolina. Jim’s commitment to the mission of VIM fueled his passion and hard work. During his tenure with VIM he was successful in assisting 11 communities in opening a clinic. He also worked with a number of developing sites that went on to open a clinic after his death.

Congratulations and thank you to the Franklin County VIM Board of Directors and staff for honoring Jim in this meaningful and special way. His memory lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

For more about the Franklin County VIM, visit www.fcvim.org.

Columbia County VIM Clinic

Dr. James Gallagher, medical director at the Columbia County VIM Clinic in Mifflinville, PA was honored with the Rural Health Hero of the Year Award. The award was presented at the 2009 Rural Health Conference in State College.

For more about the Columbia County VIM Clinic, visit www.ccvim.org.

Centre VIM

John Wilcock of State College, PA, has found an interesting and challenging way to give back. His goal is to run each of the 13 marathons in Pennsylvania this year to raise money and awareness for Centre Volunteers in Medicine that serves uninsured Centre County residents. He has already finished eight marathons, including those in Lancaster, Danville, Pittsburgh, York and Erie. His upcoming marathons include Scranton, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

For more about Centre VIM, visit www.cvim.net.

Henri Woodman Community Health Clinic

The Henri Woodman Community Health Clinic (CMAP) in Brunswick, GA has a new location. Dr. Robert Wilson, a Camden County physician, has generously leased the larger space to the clinic for $1 a year for 10 years.

The new space will allow CMAP to serve more people with greater efficiency and expand patient education services and the chronic disease program, Alive & Lively. Dr. Wilson, a former CMAP board member and a long-time volunteer, hopes the larger clinic space will lead to more volunteers, especially doctors.

For more about the Henri Woodman Community Health Clinic, visit www.cmapga.org.

VIM of Cape May Count House

VIM of Cape May County Court House in Cape May, NJ will honor three of its volunteers at the annual ThanksGathering in late October.

Honored this year are Dr. Jerry Weisberg as 2009 Outstanding Volunteer Physician and Dr. Joe and Anne Salvatore as 2009 Outstanding Caring Neighbors.

For more information about the clinic, visit VIM of Cape May Court House

Volunteers in Medicine - Eugene

This note was sent to the national office from a VIM patient in Eugene, OR.

Hello. I am compelled to take this opportunity to just say "thanks". I am immensely grateful that you exist, because I have a need for your services. And I am very happy to have had them.

The staff at my local VIM are superb. They have honestly provided better care to me than I have EVER received from any for-profit medical system. I want to help keep VIM in existence and providing the quality care I have received. I'm low income, so for now this will be a daunting task. Just know that many people who need medical care are receiving it from extremely competent people. You'll not hear that from most of them, but you're hearing it from me for what it's worth.

J.S. Garrison