FREE CLINIC RECOGNIZES ITS CENTRAL VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS
The Free Clinic of Central Virginia recently honored its over 600 volunteers with a reception. The group included almost 200 physicians, 52 dentists, 23 pharmacists, over 100 other medical/dental practitioners and over 200 lay persons. The event was held during National Volunteer Week at a private residence in Lynchburg. It was catered by the Academy Cafe. Some special individual awards were announced. The first Dr. Joseph A. Levine Awards for providing dental services to indigent persons were awarded to Dr. Joseph A. Levine posthumously as well as to Dr. Augustus Petticolas. Both Dr. Petticolas and Dr. William Riley were acknowledged for receiving Virginia Health Care Foundation "Unsung Hero Awards" for 2006.
The Karen Goodwin Awards, which are awarded to "long-term" medical professional volunteers, were presented to the following persons: Dr. Robert Bowden; Leta Hunter, R.N.; Dr. Jeffrey Wilson; and Arlette Stanecker, R.N. Also receiving Karen Goodwin Awards, but unable to attend were: Pharmacists Pearl Thacker and Ed Collins; Dr. Michael Overfelt; Dr. Scott Zindel; and Leslie McPhatter, Nutritionist.
The Libba Hughes Awards, which are awarded to outstanding lay person volunteers were presented to three men who are married to present or former members of the Board of Directors. Mr. Charles "Chuck" Haney is married to Board President, Abigail Haney. Mr. Bobby Bishop ("Vice President for Maintenance") is married to former Board member Anne Bishop and Mr. Jerry Mitchell (former "Vice President for Construction" is married to former Board member Katie Mitchell.
Lifesaver Awards, which are presented to those who help at the last minute when urgent assistance is needed, were given to Pharmacists Roy Garrett and Dan Secrist. Other Lifesaver Awards, which were handed to persons at a later date, went to Dentist Patrick Todd; Pharmacist-In Charge Lin Taliaferro; Pharmacist Russell Krantz; Tracey Baker R.N.; Pat Cooper, RPHT; Patsy Pinn, Certified Medical Assistant; and Morris Jefferson, Parking Lot Attendant. Finally, outstanding service awards were presented to two long time volunteers in the MedsHelp Program, which is now a component of the Free Clinic Services. Mr. Roger Hessensius and Ms. Dolly Clingenpeel were recognized and thanked in absentia.
The Free Clinic had over $1.5 million worth of "in kind" volunteer hours contributed to it in FY 2004-2005. This is a tremendous tribute to the quality of the people who reside in Central Virginia.