News & Events

Peace of Mind

devsu — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:16:29 -0700

Imagine waking up every day, not sure if you can get out of bed. Everything seems bleak and hopeless, and you aren’t sure where to turn for help. This is a reality for more than 18 million American adults who suffer from depression.

Volunteers In Medicine Clinic has offered mental health services for five years. While many patients seek such help on their own, others do not. In light of this, Dr. Peter Schur, Mental Health Director and the Clinic staff launched the new Depression Intervention Project (DIP) on October 1, 2008 to identify patients in need of treatment. Funding for this project has been provided by grants from: Meyer Memorial Trust, the Collins Foundation, the Baker Foundation, PacificSource Health Plans, and the Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation. A goal was set to screen every patient at the Clinic for depression. This allows the staff to establish a baseline of the patient’s mood and functioning so providers can effectively monitor their need for on-going care, as well as the effectiveness of treatment. By relieving the patients of the responsibility of broaching a difficult subject, we can provide compassionate care without compromising their dignity.

Since November 2008, about 12 patients per week are screened for depression. This rate increases weekly. Of those patients screened, approximately 50 percent report clinical levels of depressive symptoms. By providing mental health care along with medical care, we have improved lives. Some patients are prescribed medication to help with their depression. Patients on medications are followed up with by telephone. This gives the patients another opportunity to report how they are doing, and to
express their concerns about the medication, all in a supportive and timely manner.

The positive response from our volunteer medical providers has affirmed DIP's goals. Not only have our

Mark Your Calendars!

devsu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:39:14 -0800

One Fine Day, April 21, 2010
To become a sponsor, reserve a table or tickets or donate goods, please contact
Nicole Gauron at 541-335-2827, or ngauron@vim-clinic.org.
Information about last year's One Fine Day event.

Swingin’ Summer Night, July 15, 2010
To inquire about sponsorship or to reserve your table, contact Jennifer Larson
at 541-868-3578 or jelarson@vim-clinic.org.
Information about last year's Swingin’ Summer Night event.

Campaign in Full Swing

devsu — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:10:56 -0700

Did you know we help families whose income falls between 100 to 200 percent of the Federal
Poverty Level? With the current economic times, families without health insurance continues
to rise. Your donation allows us to continue to provide necessary medical services to our
patients. Our goal for this year is to raise $810,000 towards our $1.7 million budget. Currently
we have raised $348,000.

The Clinic provides much needed medical care to the low-income, working uninsured in our
community. The services we provide through our Annual Campaign include preventive care,
primary care, diabetes education and management, mental health services, and a women’s
health program. This allows us to not only care for the physical well-being of our patients, but
their emotional well-being as well.

For every $1 you donate, we are able to provide more than $2 in medical services to our
patients. There are several ways to give:

Cash/Check
Visa/MC/AmEx
Stocks and bonds
Planned Giving
Gift Annuities
Charitable Trusts
Life Insurance
Bequests

To help support the Clinic, consider a donation to our Annual Campaign. You can mail your
donation to: Volunteers In Medicine Clinic, 3321 West 11th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402. For
more information, contact Glenda Gordon, Development Director, 541-686-6361 or
ggordon@vim-clinic.org

The Gift of Health

devsu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:13:57 -0800

That’s what you and other donors give to the thousands of uninsured patients who visit Volunteers In Medicine Clinic. These are people who make too much money to qualify for state assistance and can’t afford insurance. They depend on Volunteers In Medicine Clinic for their medical care.

Thank you for supporting this vital organization.

Mission

Understand and serve the health and wellness needs of the medically under-served and members of their household who live and work in Lane County.

Vision

May we have eyes to see those rendered invisible and excluded, open arms and hearts to reach out and include them, healing hands to touch their lives with love, and in the process, heal ourselves.

Stewards of our resources

At VIM, we rely on two resources: donated time from health care professionals and financial support from community members and foundations. We need both to serve our patients. Our annual budget is $1.6 million, and our goal for this annual community campaign is to raise $600,000 toward our total budget.

The success of our free clinic depends on volunteers, a small and dedicated staff, and donors like you.

Eliminate the worry

You have the power to make someone's life better, to help someone access medical care in a setting that respects and nurtures them. Thanks for doing what you can for those who can’t afford medical care.

Dedicated Phone Line

devsu — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:47:03 -0800

A phone line at the Clinic is now dedicated to calling patients with the results of their lab tests. It has decreased costs related to return mail and increased the personal connection and service we provide to patients.

“It benefits the patient by having a live person on the phone who can answer questions or transfer the call to someone else in the Clinic if more services or an appointment are needed,” says DeLeesa Meashintubby, VIM senior operating officer. “It also helps us get information to the patient in a timely manner, and it’s easier on the staff because the call generates a paper trail letting everyone know when the call was made and the outcome of it.”

Volunteers are making, on average, 250 calls per month, compared with 200 letters per month that were mailed. Lab results are provided only directly to patients, and although volunteers may call with normal results, only a practitioner may call a patient with abnormal results.

Dispensary Helps Control Illness

devsu — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:12:52 -0700

The Volunteers In Medicine Clinic dispensary offers generic and brand name medications free of charge to all patients who qualify for medical services. The dispensary is an invaluable benefit for the Clinic patients. Without the ability to purchase prescribed medications to control illness, patients conditions go untreated, which in many cases can be life-threatening. Diabetes, high blood pressure and bleeding disorders are all conditions the Clinic is able to treat with the medications available through the dispensary.

The Clinic dispensed 1,334 medications during the month of December to 512 patients. Generic medications are purchased by the Clinic through the generosity of community donations and grants, and brand name medications are acquired through the Patient Assistance Program. The Patient Assistance Program brings in more than one million dollars yearly of medicine from pharmaceutical companies. Patients will often make cash contributions to the dispensary for the medications they receive.

With generous donations from people like you, we are able to continue this amazing program, helping our patients continue on their road to improved health.

Sr. Monica guides her legacy and gavel, to hand of new chair

devsu — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:36:54 -0800

Sister Monica Heeran has stepped down twice as executive director, but she has always been board chair of Volunteers In Medicine, convening a group of physicians, business people and community members in the 1990s to organize a truly free clinic. People who know Sister understand why she can step down as chair — but not step away from VIM altogether. She will remain on the board, guiding the organization and working with the new chair, Duncan McDonald, a board member and a professor at the University of Oregon.

VIM makes the news!

devsu — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:49:29 -0800

Because of a surge in Lane County residents calling for our services at the beginning of this
year, VIM had to halt eligibility screenings by mid-May, lest patients wait up to six weeks to see a doctor. However, by rearranging our provider schedule on Wednesdays, by July we were able to again open the Clinic for new appointments.

Executive Director Jackie Mikalonis interviewed with KLCC News. Mikalonis also interviewed with The Register-Guard and KVAL to announce that VIM could not review names on a waiting list of 300 individuals waiting for eligibility screenings.

Something Old, Something New - Part 1

devsu — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:42:02 -0800

Hundreds gathered for a spectacular spring day and a sparkling summer night in support of two incomparable fund-raising events

On the third Wednesday of April, The Club Room at Autzen Stadium was filled with almost all women gathered to enjoy the Volunteers In Medicine Clinic’s premier event, One Fine Day. The stage was set on this beautiful spring day for friends and colleagues to socialize and shop to benefit and support Clinic activities. As attendees walked into the Club Room, they were greeted with champagne cocktails, baskets filled with spring tulips and tables overflowing with another springtime treasure — hundreds of donated handbags, jewelry and art items ready to be perused and bid on during the pre-meal auction. More than 500 items were donated to the One Fine Day event, helping VIM to raise approximately $225,000 this year to fund medical services for our working uninsured patients. With the generous support of our volunteers and sponsors, from the UO and the community, the very talented co-chairs and members of the One Fine Day Committee put together a fabulous event that, each year, exceeds their own goals. Since the One Fine Day auction and luncheon began five years ago, the co-chairs and committee members have raised in excess of $1.3 million.

Find out information about next year's event.
One Fine Day, April 21, 2010
To become a sponsor, reserve a table or tickets or donate goods, please contact
Nicole Gauron at 541-335-2827, or ngauron@vim-clinic.org.

Check out our other special event: Summer Night Gala

New nurse coordinator brings public health experience to VIM

devsu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:10:12 -0800

Laura Gambino, who began late September as VIM’s new nurse coordinator, is no stranger to Oregon. Both she and her husband are originally from the Midwest, but she raised her five children here until her husband accepted a job in Wisconsin seven years ago. Gambino says, once there, they were unable to forget Oregon. “We made it a family event, to go deep-sea fishing and crabbing and camping [in Coos Bay]. The kids want to do family reunions at the coast. They are already making plans.” This year, with an empty nest, the couple’s attention turned toward Oregon and Gambino’s interest in free clinics. “I like the idea of serving low-income populations. Although I worked for a division of the health department in Wisconsin, we met a lot of the same needs that the free clinics did. I really look forward to working with the providers and the volunteers.”

Follow VIM on Twitter

devsu — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:30:22 -0800

The VIM Twitter url: .http://www.twitter.com/LaneCountyVIM

If you haven’t already joined Twitter (which you must to get Tweets), here are the steps:

1. Go to http://www.twitter.com/LaneCountyVIM

2. Click “Join Today!”

3. Follow the instructions on the screen, including your name and a user name (this can be changed at any time, unlike an email or Facebook username, so don’t worry if you initially don’t like it.

4. Click “Create My Account”

5. If you search for “LaneCountyVIM” in the search field, a “Follow” clickable button will come on screen, and you click it to become a follower.

6, If you have any trouble, please contact me: tmiller@vim-clinic.org

An Enduring Partnership

devsu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:07:48 -0800

"With so many hardworking people losing their health insurance and their ability to pay for care, it's more important than ever for us to come together in support of the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic,” says Mel Pyne, chief executive officer of PeaceHealth Oregon Region (PHOR). PeaceHealth, both in Eugene and in Bellevue have generously funded VIM since its inception. Both Pyne and Alan Yordy, PeaceHealth president and chief mission officer, are leaders in community care by upholding the provision of care even as they face rising costs associated with uncompensated care.
In addition, PHOR provides VIM with clinic space for $1 per month and contributes technical services, computers and other administrative services and supplies to help us reduce our overhead so we may instead apply the funds we raise directly to patient services.
“It's a way we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors,” Pyne says. “Especially for those of us who are fortunate to have jobs with health benefits, it is a privilege to be able to give back and support an organization that is doing such outstanding work."
The VIM board, staff, volunteers and patients thank PeaceHealth, and recognize Alan Yordy and Mel Pyne for their continued collaboration, encouragement and assistance. Mel Pyne, CEO of PeaceHealth Oregon Region, and Alan Yordy, President & Chief Mission Officer of PeaceHealth

Something Old, Something New - Part 2

devsu — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:44:13 -0800

Hundreds gathered for a spectacular spring day and a sparkling summer night in support of two incomparable fund-raising events

The night could not have been more perfect for the first annual Swingin’ Summer Night Gala at Sweet Cheeks Winery. The joyful sounds of Blue Skies Big Band and the Jewel Tones serenaded guests while they dined on the delectable spread prepared by the Marché Restaurant. Parties To Go provided the rentals and Doncha’ Remember Florals, the beautiful centerpieces. The hard work of committee members on this new event netted more than $50,000 for the Clinic. We are proud and thankful for all the hard work and dedication from the volunteers and staff to make this a successful event.

Find out information about next year's event.
Swingin’ Summer Night, July 15, 2010
To inquire about sponsorship or to reserve your table, contact Jennifer Larson
at 541-868-3578 or jelarson@vim-clinic.org.

Also check out our One Fine Day event.

Steve Korth and Liz Cawood

devsu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:22:48 -0800

It is a privilege to offer my support to Volunteers In Medicine Clinic, because access to health care is a national problem, and yet this organization is providing assistance to those in need right here in Lane County. At its core, the clinic is an amazing collection of professional volunteers who have Liz Cawood, Steve Korth, Campaign Co-Chairs collaborated to help fill a void. Their mission is noble yet simple. It is those efforts that have inspired me to be involved.

Steve Korth
McKay Investment Company

Many local residents have no insurance, but they do have a place that will care for them: Volunteers In Medicine Clinic. Physicians and other health care professionals donate their services, so patients receive care at no cost. Everyone deserves to live in good health, to be able to access medical care, to be free of worry. Being healthy allows us to live full lives. That’s the gift that Volunteers In Medicine gives to more than 1,700 people every year.

Liz Cawood
CAWOOD

Offering a Healing Hand

devsu — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:32:50 -0800

Volunteer providers are like gold to the Clinic. Without volunteers, the Clinic would be unable to offer services to the residents of Lane County. Our volunteer providers come from all backgrounds. Some are retired while others are still active in the community. Husband and wife, Luci Kovacevic, MD and Lisa Kovacevic, Family Nurse Practitioner are two of our wonderful providers.
They have been volunteering with the Clinic since October 2007 while maintaining their own active practices and taking care of their young daughter.

Luci is a full time physician treating injured workers in the Occupational Health Department at Cascade Health Solutions, and Lisa has a part time practice in Eugene. Prior to relocating to Eugene, Luci and Lisa volunteered at a free-clinic in West Virginia. The motivation to feel connected to their community drove them to offer their services to the Clinic. Says Lisa, “I missed that opportunity to feel like I was really giving back to the community.” Upon hearing about Volunteers In Medicine, they decided to connect to the residents of Lane County by becoming volunteer providers. Now they volunteer on their days off and during Clinic evening hours.

Volunteering with the Clinic is highly rewarding for both of them. Both Luci and Lisa have found great satisfaction in helping those without insurance. Luci stated, “I get great satisfaction from treating diabetes and hypertension so mothers and fathers can stay healthy and take care of their kids.” Lisa agreed with Luci about the satisfaction that comes from treating patients with diabetes. She said, “I have found that the ones (patients) that stand out the most are the diabetic patients that I’ve been able to help reestablish a medication regimen so that they can get their blood sugars controlled. Their lives and health are a mess if they can’t get their diabetic medications.”