FREE CLINIC RECOGNIZES ITS VOLUNTEERSThe Free Clinic of Central Virginia held its annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, April 25 at the home of Connie Shannon. As part of National Volunteer Week, the clinic paid tribute to its almost 1,000 volunteers. These include over 200 physcians, 60 dentists, 20 pharmacists, 100 other medical and dental personnel, and almost 600 lay person volunteers.
The Karen Goodwin Awards for medical/dental providers were awarded to TWENTY twenty year volunteers, who started serving back in the founding year of 1987. These included PHYSICIANS - Dr. George Wortley, Dr. Patricia Pletke, Dr. Dean Gianakos, Dr. John Ed Williams, Dr. Louis Graham, Dr. Michael Okin, Dr. Thomas Eppes, Dr Alan Pododsek, Dr. David Smith, and Dr. James Vandewater; DENTISTS - Dr. Ken Chalfant, Dr. Donald Holcomb, Dr. David Kiger, and Dr. Dan Savage; and PHARMACISTS - Fred Blanchard, Nadine Gilmore, Cindy McInteer, and Hank Baxter. Two other twenty year dentists were awarded the special 2007 Dr. Joseph A. Levine Award, in honor of Dr. Levine who served the clinic as a volunteer for 18 years. They were Dr. Lewis Angelo Arthur and Dr. James Peery.
The Libba Hughes Awards named in honor of Mrs. Hughes, who resides at the Williams Home and volunteered at the clinic for many years in the 80s and 90s, were awarded to the following "lay" people.
Twenty year members of the Board of Directors - Kathryn Mays, Stuart Turille, and the Rev. Dr. Robert Wilson and five year volunteers - Marion Stump and Tom Sparhawk.
Finally, the staffs' Lifesaver Awards were presented to those who always come to the rescue of our patients. DENTISTS - Dr. Augustus Petticolas and Dr. William Riley; PHYSICIAN - Dr. Patricia Pletke; Front Office Volunteer - Rosa Rucker; and former front office volunteer - Liz Ayers.
The event was attended by over 100 present staff members, Board members and volunteers. The view was beautiful and the catering from Chef Jeanell was excellent. Everyone had a wonderful evening.