Member Spotlight

 

Volunteers In Medicine Berkshires



VIM Berkshires

           Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires (VIM Berkshires) is one of more than seventy VIM clinics around the country.  Although each VIM clinic is a separate entity, they are all similar in the fact that most of the services are provided by volunteer medical and lay staff.  Its mission is: The VIM Berkshires free clinic will provide access to quality healthcare for all income qualified, uninsured residents of the Berkshire region in a respectful and caring manner.

            VIM Berkshires is privately funded and does not accept any federal or state money.  Fundraising (which totals $550,000 annually), grants, individual business and corporate donations fund the VIM clinic.  Currently the fundraising committee has put together the “Partners in Caring” Coupon Book that contains coupons from 137 area businesses and organizations with values over $1,000!  The gift book provides an opportunity to save hundreds of dollars at places you may already frequent, and offers a wonderful way to learn about new places in the Berkshires.  The coupon books are on sale for $25.00 each and can be purchased at the clinic, online, and at the Berkshire Co-op Market, Hammertown, Berkshire Bike and Board as well as other locations.  Please visit www.vimberkshires.org for more information.

            VIM Berkshires began in 2004.  Two founding board members saw similarities between the areas of Hilton Head, SC, where the original VIM clinic had begun in 2003, and the Berkshires.  An Initiating Committee was formed in 2003 and by 2004 VIM Berkshires became a not-for-profit, a space was rented, and a ribbon cutting was held.  By the end of 2004, it had adopted the medical preventive model.  Episodic care was added as the need became clear.  Dental and mental health services began in the spring of 2005.  Optometry services were offered in Dr. Herman’s office in Pittsfield for several years before they moved to Great Barrington when the clinic expanded into the space next door.  Nutrition and acupuncture are the most recent services that are now offered.  VIM provides prescriptions and eye glasses as well.    

            VIM Berkshires currently has about 125 active volunteers.  Some volunteers are seasonal, some are year round and they vary in age from college students to retirees.  Most come from Pittsfield and areas south, but others come from as far away as Amherst.  Many are working professionals who volunteer in their field on their time off.  The volunteer experience at VIM Berkshires is seen as a two way street and people choose to volunteer for many different reasons.  Volunteers are crucial to the functioning of the clinic in that they are not there to help staff get the job done; they actually get the job done.  They are responsible for about 75% of the daily work that is done at the clinic, including board work, fundraising, communications, and outreach. 

VIM Volunteer

            There are currently 1,500 patients at VIM and in 2009 there were 3,200 patient visits to the clinic.  In order to become a VIM patient, you must be between the ages of 19 and 64, live in Berkshire County, not have insurance that covers the service you are requesting, and be within the income guidelines, which are 300% of the federal poverty line for medical and 200% of the federal poverty line for dental.  Dental is less than medical because of the long waiting list for dental services. 

            40 onsite healthcare providers currently volunteer at VIM including 9 dentists, 3 hygienists, 8 MD’s and Nurse Practitioners, 2 psychiatrists, 2 optometrists, and support staff in all departments.  There are seven part time employees as well as paid freelance interpreters.   

            Susan Minnich is the volunteer coordinator at VIM.  She describes her job as essentially a human resources job.  She recruits new volunteers, carries out the orientation process, matches volunteers with different aspects of the clinic, and works as the facilitator between the volunteer medical and lay staff.  Susan says that she enjoys the community-building that VIM offers.  It breaks down barriers as people are given the opportunity to meet others from different geographical, social, and work backgrounds and to learn about ways of living different from their own.  Her greatest challenge in her job is matching the clinic’s needs with volunteers’ availability and skills.  There is a balance that needs to exist in order for the clinic to function smoothly. 

            The volunteer process is ongoing and people who are interested may contact the clinic to fill out an application and set up an initial meeting with Susan.  She will then assess their skill sets and interests and determine the best fit for them.  The greatest need right now is for nurses, dental assistants or hygienists, receptionists, help with selling the coupon booklet, and bilingual volunteers, although being bilingual is not a requirement. 

            VIM Berkshires first joined the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce in 2006 because of the resources the Chamber offers and the community-building it supports.

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