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Dr. Jeffrey Rich (center) hands a prescription order to Bernadette Deegan after assessing patient Philip Hall. |
By CATHY DYSON
The free clinic at the King George Department of Social Services is treating about 20 patients each time it's open, including people from surrounding counties.
The day after a story about the clinic was published in The Free Lance-Star in April, "We were inundated with calls from Spotsylvania residents wanting an appointment," said Social Services Director David Coman. "They were all seen."
So were residents from Stafford County and Fredericksburg. The free clinic is open to any uninsured adult, age 18 to 64.
The department also has a fund to help with prescriptions, but that money is for King George residents only, Coman said.
Donations also have increased in that area, and the clinic is looking into ways it might expand. A lawyer is donating services to help the clinic become incorporated.
Project Faith, a local nonprofit group that provides housing and other services to the elderly and disabled, has offered space for the clinic in a new building it is planning.
Coman also hopes to establish agreements with local medical offices to provide free X-rays and lab services for clinic patients.
King George officials opened the clinic in August after Dr. Jeffrey Rich, a Norfolk surgeon, offered to donate his time. Rich wanted to give something back, and he inquired about King George after he drove through the county last year on his way to Baltimore.
Coman raised about $2,000 from churches to get equipment. Most of the money went for an exam table, which sits in the far corner of the social-services conference room.
Rich paid for the clinic's insurance and drives from Norfolk once a week to see patients.
One donor, described by Coman as "a very special person," was so moved by the doctor's willingness to help that he wrote a check to help defray commuting costs.
Coman had to force the doctor to take it, saying he would offend the donor if he didn't.
"Knowing him," Coman said about the doctor, "he probably will donate it back to the medicine fund or use it to pay for the insurance when it is due."
For the clinic's schedule and to make appointments, call 540/775-3544.
Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com
