Greenville, S.C.
Founded in 1987, the Greenville Free Medical Clinic is the primary organization in Greenville County to provide basic health care without charge to low-income uninsured patients. They receive no direct payment for any patient visits, nor are they federally funded. In 2006, there were over 11,000 patient visits.
The clinic operates on a minimal budget due to the approximately 200 volunteer physicians, 75 dentists, 40 nurses, 20 pharmacists, and other health care professionals who donate their time. For every dollar it takes to operate their four locations, the Greenville Free Medical Clinic is able to multiply each donated dollar into nearly $10 in care. Additionally, because of the tremendous volume of donated professional services and pharmaceutical supplies, the clinic is able to provide a year’s worth of comprehensive care for approximately $250 per patient per year.
The clinic was awarded a $15,000 grant to expand their prevention-oriented health education activities, particularly around smoking cessation and weight reduction. Activities will include nutritional eating and cooking education, healthy weight loss, regular exercise workouts, and ‘stop smoking’ education, counseling, support, and treatment options. Funds will be used to support additional nurse hours to oversee the programming, pedometers, groceries for cooking classes and demonstrations, and patient education videos, booklets, and treatment models.
Content provided by: AMA Foundation