Volunteer Medical Clinic Fills Gap

‘CV Volunteers in Medicine’ is open in Indio

INDIO – The Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine now operates from a new clinic built by Riverside County to serve patients who cannot afford health insurance and do not receive medical care through government programs. An estimated 60,000 men and women in the Coachella Valley meet that standard and can now receive services, free of charge at the clinic.

Supervisor John J. Benoit celebrated a ribbon cutting of the clinic at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4 at 82-915 Avenue 48 in Indio.

“Riverside County is tremendously proud of building this beautiful clinic which is specially suited for the Volunteers in Medicine to fill a gap in medical care in our region,” said Benoit. “Our unique partnership has allowed the county and this chapter of the national organization to accomplish what neither could do alone.”

“This building represents an important new chapter in the Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine story,” said Bruce Yeager, executive director of the Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine. “The founders, staff, volunteers and patients are sincerely grateful to the county for providing us with this remarkable facility. It will serve this community well.”

The Volunteers in Medicine is staffed by approximately 50 volunteer retirees and active practitioners in the medical and administrative field. The clinic offers women’s services, dental services and general medical services free of charge to uninsured patients who are ineligible for county, state or federal government programs.

Riverside County has entered into a 20-year lease with the Volunteers in Medicine to operate the facility. Patient volume is expected to surpass 6,000 visits this year.

Built at the cost of $2,856,887 from county redevelopment funds, the 6,133-square-foot clinic is double the size of the previous, temporary office at 81-880 Dr. Carreon Blvd. Energy-efficient lighting and design may earn the facility a level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Operational support for the Volunteers in Medicine has come from JFK Memorial Hospital, Eisenhower Medical Center and Desert Regional Medical Center, with additional financial support from the Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation, the California Wellness Foundation, the Desert Healthcare District, the Foley Foundation, the City of Indio, Indio Sunrise Rotary, Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits, Starbucks Partner Giving Program and various individual donors. Donations can be made directly via www.cvvim.org.

To volunteer, support the Volunteers in Medicine or to see if you qualify for services and make an appointment, please call 760-342-4414.

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