Volunteers are the foundation on which we are built.
The Ripple Effect starts with each of the Free Clinic’s 287 volunteers who keep all aspects of the facility running. The Clinic maintains a staff of only six full-time administrators, yet attends to several thousand patient visits annually, so the dedicated volunteers are the crux of the operation. In 2009, the clinic averaged over 600 staff hours per month in volunteered time from professionals who provide their expertise in the following areas:
- Primary Care
- Endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedics
- Neurosurgery
- Mental Health
- Chiropractics
- Pulmonology/Cardiology
- Podiatry
- Gastroenterology
- Nutrition
- Cooking Demonstrations
- Yoga Classes
- Specialized Clinics in Diabetes, Women’s Health, Minority Men’s Health
- Pre-Employment Physicals
Partnering with local educational institutions
In addition to the volunteer staff, the Rhode Island Free Clinic enjoys relationships with Brown Medical School, URI School of Nursing, NP Program and Graduate Program in Nutrition and Food Science, RIC Nursing Program, Gibbs College, Sawyer School, Lincoln Technical Institute, Rhode Island College Outreach Programs, and the medical residency program at Rhode Island Hospital.
The Rhode Island Free Clinic attracts many volunteers from the health care professions, but there are a multitude of ways for people to volunteer who are outside of the health care industry. Many people with non-medical or non-technical backgrounds find a way to contribute their time or other resources. All you need do is ask. Feel free to contact Julie Miller-Hendry, our Volunteer Coordinator, at jmillerhendry@rifreeclinic.org.
We are deeply grateful to our volunteers who donated over 50 hours of their time in 2009:
Administrative Support:
Nadia Aquino
Karissa Josephson
Jonathan Lin
Carol Metcalfe
Shari O'Connor
Karen Sciolto
Kiely Schultz
Ashaly Thao
Committee Support:
Leslie Sax
Healthcare Providers:
Angela Carr, PA-C
Anna Fulton, NP
Jibran Khan, MD Primary Care
Walter Hollinger, MD Primary Care
Michael Maher, MD Primary Care
Kevin McKay, PhD Psychology
Curtis Mock, MD Primary Care
David Savitzky, MD Psychiatry
Denise Wahl, RN
Patricia Wold, MD Psychiatry
Interpreters:
Analia Alcolea
Naira Arellano
Ingrid Fernandez
Claudia Neira
Santa Rodriguez
Medical Assistant:
Mitchell Medeiros
Mary Nivar
Pharmacists:
Nathan Charpentier
Kenny Correia
Kristie Devergilio
Peter DiCristofaro
Philip Fong
Colleen Moffitt
Matthew Shea
Anne Vanhaaran
Social Work:
Jane O'Farrell, LICSW
Wellness Works:
Paula Drzal, Diabetes Educator
Marie Laboissonniere, Diabetes Educator
Haley Menard, Exercise Instructor
