How did the Clinic get started?
In 1981, the Free Clinic first opened its doors to people who lacked health insurance. Twenty-five area physicians, dentists and other health care professionals stepped forward to volunteer their services at the Clinic, which served approximately 1,000 patients per year. Likewise, the Program for Special Medical Care was founded in 1987 by two area physicians who were also committed to treating people who were uninsured. The Program founders recruited 50 of their colleagues to see patients in their private offices, with Carilion Health System providing prescription medications. The Program served 500 patients. The merger of the two Clinics in 1996 resulted in an efficiently governed, managed, and financed medical, dental and pharmaceutical health service for the uninsured in our community. With over 450 physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, specialists, dentists and local citizens, our Volunteer Health Care Provider Network has a noteworthy record of community service and achievemen
