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For decades, Bette Gray and her family always had health insurance. But when a series of layoffs and illnesses hit Bette a few years back, it opened her eyes to how many people are vulnerable because they don't have insurance and can't afford health care. During one period of unemployment, Bette saw a news show about Jon Bon Jovi opening a free medical clinic with an organization called Volunteers in Medicine. She went online to check them out, figuring that as a respiratory therapist, maybe she could volunteer at a local VIM clinic. She left her name and number. Sure enough, they called back-and asked if she would open a clinic in her community. Since VIM works with meager resources, it would be up to Bette to get the medical volunteers, space, supplies and funding to open the doors. It took almost three years of working with county and state officials, the medical society and many generous donors, but Bette made it happen. Opening night, the clinic had five chairs in the waiting room and 10 patients needing care. Today, more than 500 patients have been treated at the clinic, which is open only one night per week. Doctors have diagnosed more than a dozen cancers and many life threatening cases of diabetes, high blood pressure and HIV. "If you have an inner thought that just keeps nagging at you, it is probably where you are supposed to be going. I'm glad I started on this adventure."

How has the free clinic changed your life?
I used to worry a lot about little things, and was a pessimistic person. Now I find myself being much more positive. I realize that when you are meant to be on a journey, no matter what path you decide to take in life, you will ultimately end up on the journey you are supposed to be on.
Are there other free clinics in your area?
There are seven VIM clinics here in Pennsylvania, and about 70 nationwide. I keep anewsletter of how much we give away. It's over $20,000 worth of care every quarter. For a clinic that's open only five hours a night, one night a week, that's huge.
What have you learned from this experience?
It has been like a patchwork quilt of things I have learned throughout my life coming together and falling into place. Being a respiratory therapist gave me good skills. Working in hospitals, I got to know various people in other hospitals around my area. I also got to understand about regulations, supervisors-all the little things you need to know to run a clinic. Once, I helped a physical therapist friend fix up his practice, so that taught me how to keep the books and patient charts. Then, when I ran for office and became a Borough Councilwoman, I got to know some of the legislators. Entering the Nature Made contest is another piece of the puzzle. I am hoping it will help to get more visibility for the uninsured and make more people aware of this problem.
What sets your clinic apart?
I wanted this to be a quality place where doctors can take more than five minutes with a patient. Our volunteer docs like that. The patients have to wait a bit, but they all know they will get equally good care. Our docs take 15 minutes with each one, at least. On a daily basis we get calls from the medical assistance office and local doctors who want to send us patients. That's a huge compliment because it means they are comfortable with our quality of care.
With so many people needing care, do you have plans to expand?
Pennsylvania has no budget now, but some bills are being proposed for free-clinic funding. That's what I want next, so we can open three to four nights per week. I am hoping our legislature sees that free clinics are valuable. We are doing medicine inexpensively, but it's not cheap care. National healthcare reform won't have everything people need, and it will be a long time before the uninsured aren't so many. Meanwhile, two people die every day in Pennsylvania because they lack healthcare access and coverage.
What kinds of patients do you treat at the clinic?
We cater to the working uninsured, people 18 and older. Many have minimum wage jobs or work for employers that don't offer health insurance. There are hundreds of stories. I had a 65-year-old lady in here who needed a job. She was down to her last $300 and had no insurance. But she couldn't get the job without a physical exam. She burst into tears when we wouldn't take any money for seeing her. One of our doctors sent us a man whose blood-sugar levels were in the 700s. He should have been in the hospital, but had no insurance. So we gave him a blood-sugar monitor and showed him how to do his medications himself at home. His levels dropped in one week to the 200s. I guess our mission is to give back to all those people out there who don't have $80 for the diabetes medicine that keeps them alive, or who go to work every day even though they are very, very sick.
What is the most rewarding part of the work you do?
We have created a place where people get more than healthcare. The people who come to the clinic actually see that they are loved and someone cares. We also have a small food bank and help people get heat for their homes through a state program. It's amazing how just when I am thinking about something our patients need, somebody shows up to provide it. For example, many need dental care and supplies. Sure enough, a local minister came by and gave us all this toothpaste and brushes. I had been wondering for quite some time how we could get into a bigger space for the clinic. I found a good building, but the rent was way too much. Two weeks ago, we were given a check to buy that building. It came from a gentleman who had helped to set up the very first VIM clinic in Hilton Head years ago. I am not super religious, but I think this is all part of a bigger thing and I do believe God has His hand in this. When I get tired and I think how will I ever get through this day, somehow I am always given the energy to do it.

A big heart

Abby and Murphy