FREE CLINIC SPREADS ITS WINGS John Beitzel, left, and Bill Sell-Lee, Dungeness Health & Wellness Clinic board members, display floor plans for an expanded facility at 777 N. Fifth Ave. More programs, larger facility on the horizonBy Patricia Morrison CoateStaff writer By the numbers, the Dungeness Valley Health & Wellness Clinic is making its mark in Sequim. During the semi-weekly clinic nights, a single volunteer medical provider sees a varying number of uninsured and/or underinsured patients. There have been about 4,300 visits since 2001. Moving into its seventh year, the clinic is meeting its mission of offering quality basic medical care, said Jamie Goodwin, RN, clinic director. From its inception, the clinic has been based on a philosophy of giving back to the community through volunteer and in-kind services. Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church supplies the space in its former parish house and Olympic Medical Center donates laboratory and radiology services. On Monday and Thursday nights, after long days at their own practices, these medical providers give another three or four hours on a rotating basis to the clinic: Dr. Larri Ann Bond, physician assistant Rob Dalm, Dr. Kari Olsen, Dr. Roger Olsen, Dr. Jeff Salvon-Harman, Dr. Charles Sullivan, nurse practitioner Donna West, Dr. Carl Weber and nurse practitioner Rita Wise. Dr. Marianne Ude and Dr. Robert Witham also have volunteered in other volunteers’ stead. Because there is only one exam room, each provider flies solo on clinic night, often treating patients with several concurrent chronic diseases. “We are fortunate to have nine providers who volunteer their time on Monday and Thursday nights,” Goodwin said, adding it is a challenge and a necessity to attract volunteer providers. “They average a night a month but often cover each other for travel and illness, etc. The providers see half the number of patients they’d see in a full day, in a couple of hours,” Goodwin said. “This is a huge, huge gift they’ve given us.” Eight dentists and one optometrist accept vouchers from the clinic for emergency and diabetic cases, respectively. Goodwin said her present and ongoing goal is to “flush out” and encourage retired medical providers, before their licenses lapse, to volunteer at the clinic. Contact Goodwin at 582-0218 to be a volunteer provider. “Malpractice and license renewal for providers is available in Washington. If we can find doctors willing to volunteer, we can get malpractice insurance for them.” Except for three part-time employees — a clinic director, administrative assistant and development director — all the rest are volunteers, with decades of medical experience. This past spring, the position of volunteer coordinator was added. Goodwin has been the clinic’s director for nearly two years, succeeding Mary Griffith, the church’s parish nurse whose idea it was to establish a free clinic for senior citizens slipping through the cracks of the health-care system. On the job just six weeks back then, Goodwin’s words in December 2005 now seem prophetic. Asked in an interview at the time about the clinic’s long-term viability, Goodwin said, “I would like to see the clinic open more often, maybe with a family planning or women’s clinic for the underserved in an adjacent space. We want to see this program grow.” And it’s done just that, thanks to a cooperative community vision. In 2006, the board contracted with Family Planning of Clallam County for women’s health services at the clinic on Wednesday afternoons. Appointments are made through the Port Angeles office. ”Early next year, we hope to add a part-time, mid-level provider during the daytime. That person will be charged with seeing scheduled patients who have multiple chronic diseases,” Goodwin said. Mid-level providers are physician assistants and nurse practitioners. A psychiatrist is scheduled to partner with the clinic later this fall for office hours from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. one day a month and about two-thirds of his salary will be paid for from the county’s mental health levy — the clinic is responsible for the rest, Goodwin said. She is excited about other changes on the horizon for 2008, too. By February, the clinic expects to open its doors to expanded space provided by OMC at 777 N. Fifth Ave. in the Sequim Medical Plaza. The remodeled space will double the current floor plan with four exam rooms, two offices, a waiting area and conference/board room. A comprehensive wellness program for the community is slated for next year, too. “We will add a dedicated volunteer to work with patients who need prescription assistance,” said Goodwin, who’s wrangled plenty with drug companies to get patients certified through the Prescription Assistance Program and eligible for low cost or free drugs. “We’re also always here to transition people who have insurance but don’t have a doctor.” Free clinic fast facts 2006 • 874 patients seen • 108 medical referrals; 43 dental referrals • Eight patients diagnosed with cancer Overall • 73 percent are age 50 and under • 90 percent are uninsured • 50 percent are employed • 83 percent have no primary care provider • 56 percent are repeat visits The clinic’s $120,000 annual budget is met through fundraisers, donations and grants. |
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