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Free healthcare clinic seeks money, workers to meet demandby Linda Russell, KY3 News
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SPRINGFIELD -- A clinic that provides free healthcare for low-income uninsured people is about to get a lot more money -- if it can find more donors. It also needs more volunteers.
The Kitchen Clinic at 1630 N. Jefferson Ave. took nearly 8,500 appointments last year. With the number of people losing jobs and insurance, administrators would like to serve even more people but they’re struggling to meet demand. On Thursday, the clinic’s waiting room was filled with people who need medical care but can't afford it. “It’s impossible, because I have no money,” said Kimberly Stinson, one of those who were waiting. Stinson has been able to get free care and prescriptions for depression and fibromyalgia. “It's hard for me to work with the pain that I have, so I come here and, thank God, I qualify for The Kitchen,” she said. The clinic sees about 500 to 600 patients a month but many more than that show up at its door. “People losing their jobs, hours being cut back, whatever, so people that can qualify to come to the clinic, they'll come,” said Rorie Orgeron, chief executive officer of The Kitchen, Inc., an organization that runs several programs for homeless and low-income people. The clinic has to turn away many walk-in patients each month. Last year, that number was an average of 170 patients. This year, it's about 200 a month. The reason the clinic has to turn away patients is because of the limited number of employees and volunteers. For instance, on Thursday afternoon, they had to turn away about half the waiting room because only one physician was available. “It depends on how many doctors we can get in to see those patients,” said Orgeron. It's not only doctors. The clinic also needs nurses and other support staff to keep the doctors away from the paperwork, and in the exam rooms. “If you're a doctor and you'd like to volunteer some time, or a registered nurse, or work in the medical community in any capacity, we'd love to have you,” said Orgeron. Patients like Stinson are grateful for the care that makes their lives a lot less painful. “They're God-sent for me,” she said. The Kitchen Clinic is also always in need of donations. The board and an anonymous donor challenge the community to raise $130,000, which they would match, bringing in $260,000 to support the clinic. You can donate by mailing a check -- put “medical clinic” in the memo line -- or with a credit card on its Web site. Most Viewed
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