Our Approach

Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) began in Hilton Head, South Carolina. In 1992, one out of three people who lived on Hilton Head Island had no access to health care. At the same time, a number of retired medical personnel (physicians, nurses, dentists) began expressing an interest in finding a way to continue practicing their profession on a voluntary, part-time basis to help those without access to care.

So in 1994, these two groups were brought together to create the first Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, a 501(c)(3) free clinic utilizing retired health care professionals.

The response from the medical community was extraordinary: today over 200 medical professionals volunteer at the Clinic. They tell us this is what they always wanted to do: to be able to practice their profession in a "hassle-free" environment.

Presently in the U.S., there are over 250,000 retired physicians, 350,000 nurses, and 40,000 dentists. Most are looking for a meaningful way to spend their retirement. Not only do many retired medical professionals still want to practice, they need to practice. Serving those in need is as therapeutic for the caregiver as it is for the care recipient.

The VIM model emphasizes the use of retired medical professionals to provide quality health care services in free clinics which focus on serving the needs of the working uninsured. Many of these community integrated, owned and supported clinics also tap practicing physicians to volunteer.

The "Culture of Caring" is the heart and soul of a VIM clinic. It is based on an ethical standard in medicine that was once practiced and should be again. How people are treated during a visit to the clinic is as important as the medical care they receive. Those who come to our clinic are good people in need of help. Surviving on limited resources, they often exhibit great courage simply trying to get through each day.

Our "Culture of Caring" recognizes the strengths of those in need and respects their dignity. We seek to heal not only physical illnesses, but also the injury caused by bias, prejudice and indifference. Policies and procedures for implementing and maintaining the "Culture of Caring" have been established and are a required component of VIM clinics.

Now every person who lives or works on Hilton Head Island has easy access to health care. And the best part is that it was accomplished using an untapped resource, the retired medical professional.

For more information about the VIM Clinic on Hilton Head, see www.vimclinic.org.