Foundation Grants More Than $200,000 to Create VIM Care Clinic in Atlantic County

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The members of a local private foundation were so impressed with the “Culture of Caring” at Volunteers in Medicine of Cape May County (VIM), they decided a similar clinic was needed for the good people of Atlantic County. After several meetings with the VIM management team, the foundation presented a down payment of more than $200,000 with the promise of on-going annual support. VIM Executive Director Jackie Meiluta said, “This is truly a Christmas miracle and a fabulous opportunity for Atlantic County. As soon as we find space, which we hope to have donated, we can very quickly begin seeing patients. Too many people are struggling to put food on their tables and keep a roof over their heads. There is nothing left over for insurance co-pays, premiums, deductibles and medication costs.“
Volunteers in Medicine of Cape May County, a member of the Volunteers in Medicine Alliance, is a medical clinic that delivers free quality health care with dignity and respect to America’s working poor by tapping the expertise of retired and active medical and community volunteers. Incorporated as a 501(c) 3 in 2001, VIM first opened its doors for patient care in Cape May County on March 12, 2002. Since opening day, VIM has been able to treat more than 4,000 patients with 32,000 cumulative visits, all at no charge. Currently, approximately 500 residents of Cape May County consider VIM their primary care doctor and medical home.
There are 96 clinics in the VIM Alliance. Leadership, community organization, a detailed needs assessment and an understanding of the delivery of medical services are all essential requirements to starting a clinic based on the Volunteers in Medicine model. Aligning with VIM of Cape May County will expedite some of these steps, but the new clinic will be unique to the needs of Atlantic County. The aforementioned foundation’s gift will go a long way to ensuring the free clinic opens in 2016, but support from the community is still needed. VIM relies on volunteer doctors, nurses and administrative professionals to provide care. The Cape May County clinic is generously supported by an annual grant from the local County Freeholders and regular support from area churches and charitable groups. Similar support will be needed from the Atlantic County community if the planned free clinic is to become a reality.
For additional information about VIM or to get involved with the development of the new clinic in Atlantic County, please contact jmeiluta@vimcmc.org. For information regarding volunteer opportunities or to become a patient of VIM, please visit www.vimcmc.org or phone the VIM clinic in Cape May County at (609) 463-2846.