Dr. Horvath has been a faithful and dedicated volunteer since 1999. In addition to working at the USC Internal Medicine’s Infectious Disease Service, he fills a huge need by reviewing and signing the thousands and thousands of Patient Assistance Program applications so that our patients are able to receive medications from 19 different drug companies.

Pharmacy — Jennifer Baker, RPh

Ms Baker has been working in our Pharmacy for the past six years. On a monthly basis, she will come and work with the Pharmacy staff to check the medications and diabetic supplies and dispense them to our patients in the evening hours. She is reliable, always on time and regularly stays later than planned if needed. We are very fortunate to have her support.

Nursing — Barbara Reardon, RN

While she just started working as a volunteer with us this year, she willingly shares her 20 years of nursing experience with us on a monthly basis. She works with the patients, providing direct patient care and helping the patients understand their conditions and answering their questions. Very dependable and caring, our patients have enjoyed getting to know her and appreciate her efforts.

Administrative — Natasha Wannamaker

Ms Wannamaker started her volunteer efforts with us last year, helping to screen patients, maintain medical records, enter data into the computer systems and answer the telephones on a weekly basis. Always willing to help where needed, she has assisted with our Special Events in addition to the
clinic operations.

2009 Achievements

• Provided health care services to 2,442 individuals, a decrease of 9% over 2008 workload.
• Provided 11,360 patient encounters, the 4th largest total in our 25-year history.
• Served 1,333 new patients, a decrease of 19% over 2008 workload.
• Provided 6,043 medical visits, a decrease of 6% over 2008 totals.
• Provided 5,692 refill visits, a decrease of 12% over 2008 totals.
• Filled 60,958 prescriptions, an increase of 1% over 2008 workload.
• Dispensed almost $4.12 million of medications and diabetic supplies, an increase of 9% over 2008.
• Coordinated 4,202 laboratory, x-ray and diagnostic tests with support of the three hospital systems, an increase of 17% over 2008 workload.
• Coordinated 2,042 specialty referrals, including 28 specialties, an increase of 35% over 2008 workload.
• Conducted 50 patient education classes for 164 participants.
• For every dollar donated in 2009, we provided $6.72 in health care services!

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Charles Dickens started his novel, Tale of Two Cities, with those words. In some ways, they also portray our 2009 operations. The celebration of the 25th anniversary of the clinic’s opening and the tremendous achievements that have been accomplished were tempered with special Board discussions on a possible reduction in services and operating hours due to lack of resources.

A visionary group, led by Dr. (Rev) Bill Bouknight (who was serving as the Pastor of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church), saw a vulnerable population in desperate need of healthcare services. They took action and established the Columbia Free Clinic.

The Columbia Free Clinic opened the doors at 1611 Brabham Avenue on May 24, 1984, in a small medical office building across the street from Providence Hospital. From those humble beginnings, we have been blessed to accomplish much — over 142,000 medical visits in 25 years and tens of millions of dollars of free medications and diabetic supplies.

There are thousands of people responsible for the clinic’s success and its proud legacy of caring for 25 years. In the midst of these celebrations, we met in a called meeting as a Board of Directors to deal with some stark realities.

Our financial condition was in trouble — a dramatic 40% increase in demand for services combined with a drop in financial support had placed us in an awkward position and threatened our ability to continue to maintain the services and the operating hours we have worked so hard to provide.

Once again, God provided for our clinic!

He introduced us to a remarkable man — Michael Mungo. Mr. Mungo had seen a television news story on our financial troubles and came, unannounced, to see for himself what our situation was.

After an hour-long meeting with Dennis Coker, he reached in his pocket and wrote a check to help fill the void. For the next five months, he visited to see what was happening and to drop off another check.

Mr. Mungo took care of the financial shortfall we faced. We stand on the shoulders of the great folks who have gone before us — taking it a day at a time, working faithfully and tirelessly to improve the quality of life for members of our community who are struggling for a number of reasons and in need of a little bit of help and a whole lot of hope. I invite you to lend us your shoulder and help us meet the need!

Partners of The Free Medical Clinic ($100 to $249) - 2009

This year’s event was a huge success! The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center was the place to be on Wednesday, November 18. We had a vast turnout as more than 420 people attended the 5th annual Doctors Lounge fundraiser.The event raised over $40,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales and a silent auction. Entertainment was provided by 10 local physicians.

Tony Clyburn, B106.7 star, returned as the master of ceremonies. The silent auction was a huge success with over 60 stellar items. Special thanks to Mrs. Cassie Taylor and her committee. Over 70 individuals and businesses supported the auction with a variety of items to include artwork, vacation packages and gift certificates. We give special thanks to our performers; sponsors; individuals and businesses that donated to our silent auction; donors; and those who attended the event.

Sponsors of the Doctors Lounge Fundraiser

The Doctors Lounge Fundraiser Performers

PROVIDERS:

Our providers include physicians and nurse practitioners. This group logged in 1,461 volunteer hours, not counting the specialty physicians that see our patients in their own offices. Our specialty network of volunteers provided 2,042 referrals in 28 different specialties. Read More – >

PHARMACY:

Pharmacy volunteers, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students, logged in 2,556 hours of service. We are very fortunate to have a team of pharmacists who care about our patients and the community they serve. Read More – >

NURSING:

Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Medical Students and others logged in 2,766 volunteers hours this year. Our volunteer nurses brighten patients’ experiences by adding warmth and a personal touch to what maybe a stressful time for patients and their families and friends. Read More – >

ADMINISTRATIVE:

This group includes students, clerical volunteers, board members, event volunteers and large groups. They logged in 4,515 hours of service to the clinic. Our administrative volunteers provide dependable, efficient assistance to our staff, allowing them to better focus on providing excellent medical care. In addition to individual volunteers, we continue to enjoy partnerships with the University of South Carolina, United Way of the Midlands, Midlands Technical College, Centura, ECPI Technical College, Remington, Benedict College and many faith communities and civic organizations. We appreciate all of our volunteers and thank them immensely for their effort to Help Us Meet the Need. Read More – >

In 2009, our volunteers provided 11,298 hours of service.

If a dollar value was placed on the services provided by ourvolunteers, the amount would exceed $338,058.

• Providers – 32
• Specialists -96
• Nursing – 142
• Pharmacists – 13
• Pharmacy Techs – 208
• Administrative – 268

Total Volunteers – 759

Volunteer orientation sessions are scheduled regularly, as listed below. Dates and times are subject to change, so please contact Jennifer Glover-Hawkins at 765-1503, Ext. 205 or by email at volunteer@freemedclinic.org to register for volunteer orientation.

Wednesday, December 29 at 10:30 – 11:45 am
Tuesday, January 4 at 1:00 – 2:15 pm
Wednesday, January 12 at 10:00 – 11:15 am
Thursday, January 20 at 2:00 – 3:15 pm
Friday, January 28 at 10:30 – 11:45 am

Since opening in May 1984, volunteers have been the foundation and crucial component to the viability of the Clinic’s operations. We are extremely grateful for our volunteers — without them, we would not be able to operate! In 2009, we had over 11,298 volunteer hours donated to enable us to provide medical services and pharmaceuticals to the indigent and uninsured in Richland and Lexington counties. Currently we have approximately 780 volunteers in four categories: Provider, Nursing, Pharmacist and Administrative. To get more details regarding each category, click on a link below.

Volunteer To Help The Free Medical Clinic of Columbia, SC

To volunteer, you only need to be willing to help.

We are also very fortunate to have 13 volunteer pharmacists and over 200 pharmacy technicians that handle checking an average of 300 prescriptions a day. Without their continued support we could certainly not provide quality care to our patients. We also would like to thank our Pharmacist-in-Charge, Mike Ross, who has capably led the pharmacy operations. In addition to students from Midlands Technical College and the USC College of Pharmacy, we have had students from pre-med;engineering; accounting; biology; and many other nonmedical related fields of study. We thank the many students, faculty, and volunteers that have made our efforts exciting and rewarding for 2009 and look forward to the upcoming year’s new challenges.

To volunteer, pharmacists must be licensed in South Carolina.

The nursing volunteers run the clinical operations in support of the volunteer providers. In addition to screening patients, nursing volunteers educate patients regarding their medical condition(s) and help manage the referral process for diagnostic testing and specialty care.

To volunteer, Registered Nurses must be licensed in South Carolina.

If you are interested in providing much-needed help, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator or call is at 765-1503.

To volunteer, providers must be licensed in South Carolina. The clinic does maintain a malpractice policy for the volunteer providers. Also, uncompensated providers are covered under the state’s Good Samaritan law that limits liability except to gross negligence or willful misconduct.

If you are interested in providing much-needed help, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator or call is at 765-1503.