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Medical Volunteers Serve at Downtown Free Clinic

Posted on: Saturday, 4 February 2006, 18:00 CST

By SUSAN D. BRANDENBURG

They met in the Peace Corps nearly 20 years ago, but for physician Leo Alonso and his wife, Reagan, a registered nurse, the common dedication they share to serving humanity is ongoing.

Today, the Southside couple team up to serve patients at Volunteers In Medicine -- Jacksonville, a downtown clinic that provides free outpatient medical treatment to the working uninsured.

"Reagan and I began volunteering at VIM shortly after the clinic opened its doors in September of 2003," said Leo Alonso. "As one of 30 emergency room physicians contracted to work with Memorial Hospital, Orange Park Medical Center and Capitol Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee, I've seen too many uninsured patients who waited until they were in a health crisis before seeking treatment. VIM offers an avenue for the uninsured to receive proper medical care before their condition reaches a crisis stage."

The VIM-Jax clinic is modeled after the original VIM founded in Hilton Head, S.C., in 1994 by retired physician Jack McConnell. Since then, VIM models have sprung up in more than 33 cities across the country. Founded in Jacksonville by Jim Burt and longtime community activist Dottie Dorion, Vim-Jax annually serves more than 1,600 of the approximately 120,000 working uninsured in Duval County. Patients must be without private or government-funded medical service.

"It's a myth that the uninsured want to leech off the system," said Leo Alonso. "On the whole, they are hard workers who contribute to society and pay their taxes. They deserve to be treated with respect and, at VIM, they are treated individually and holistically.

"We're one of the few industrialized societies that doesn't offer healthcare to all of its citizens, and we're the wealthiest. Although VIM is not the ultimate solution to the national problem, it's a good start. They are helping to meet a desperate local need and doing it right now."

Manned by active and retired physicians, nurses, medical and non- medical volunteers, VIM is located at 41 E. Duval St. and serves a large downtown contingent, about 10 percent of which is Hispanic.

"Reagan and I both speak Spanish," said Leo Alonso," and the Hispanic population in Jacksonville is growing rapidly. When patients discover that we speak their native language, there is an instant bond. There are so many subtleties in the description of certain ailments, they are relieved when the language barrier disappears."

Parents of Alejandro, 15, and Gwendolyn, 14, both students at Stanton College Preparatory School, the Alonsos moved to Jacksonville in 1993, and enjoy traveling as a family, mountain biking together at Hanna Park, and volunteering at VIM.

"Reagan specialized in pediatric intensive care and worked at Miami Children's hospital, primarily in the cardiac surgery program," said Alonso, who is medical director for the Jacksonville Beach Fire Department and Liberty Ambulance as well as for VIM. "She's worked part time at Shands pediatric ICU and at Baptist Children's Hospital. Now she spends two days a week at VIM. When our children are off to college, we're considering doing some global volunteer work in medicine -- possibly rejoining the Peace Corps. We make a good team, and for now, we're doing what we can right here at home."

"The Alonsos' dedication to VIM mirrors their Peace Corps experience of improving the life and health of the community they serve," said Catie Wallace, volunteer coordinator for VIM. "Their mix of talent and compassion is a true gift to our patients. We are especially grateful for their ability to communicate with our Hispanic patients."

There are 15 active physicians in the community who volunteer their time at VIM.

"I do everything I can to encourage my colleagues to give some time to VIM," said Alonso. "There is a great need for more specialists, and our patient load grows daily. We're on this earth for such a short time, we might as well spend it helping others."MORE ABOUT VIM-JAX

Services: Diagnostic and therapeutic services for most medical conditions that do not require surgery. The VIM-Jax clinic manages routine cases of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, coronary artery disease, upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, sinus infections, etc.

Service eligibility: You must live or work in Jacksonville. You must have an income level of not more than 150 percent of federal poverty criteria (about $21,000 per year for a family of four). If you qualify for a government-funded medical insurance program, VIM- Jax will provide medical care while helping you enroll in the appropriate insurance program.

More information: To inquire about service or to volunteer at VIM, call 399-2766.

Source: Florida Times Union

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