RINCON, Ga. (WTOC) – A free health clinic in Effingham County is looking for volunteers to help care for people in need.
The Two Rivers Health Clinic in Rincon serves people ages 18 to 64 who do not have health insurance and whose cost of living is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The clinic is run primarily by volunteers.
The organization was founded in 2015 and was originally run by volunteers. The clinic’s executive director, Amber Fordham, says Two Rivers continues to be run by volunteers and that they need additional helping hands.
“Over the last year, we have greatly expanded our services, and with that expansion has come an increased need for additional volunteers, particularly nurses, nursing assistants and doctors,” says Amber Fordham, executive director of Two Rivers Health Clinic. “We always have a great need for such volunteers because, of course, we cannot do our work without nurses and nursing staff.”
According to Fordham, the clinic is expected to see 29 new patients in 2023. They have already seen about the same number of patients so far this year, so the number of patients they will see may double by the end of 2024. Fordham says as long as they have the staff to support their work, they would like to continue helping people in need.
According to U.S. Census data, nearly 11% of people under 65 in Effingham County do not have health insurance.
All of the clinic’s services are free, including lab tests, EKGs, nutritional counseling and educational materials. The clinic also partners with about 20 different organizations to support patient care, including vision, dental and telehealth services. Fordham says they will partner with an organization that produces vaccines in October to give people the opportunity to receive a free COVID-19 vaccination.
“They also provide sexually transmitted disease education and other educational efforts, but they come and offer this service basically for free to anyone who doesn’t have insurance that covers the vaccination,” Fordham says. “Then people can come and get vaccinated here at the clinic.”
Not only are their services completely free, but they are also provided by volunteers. The clinic is constantly in need of more nurses and doctors and would not be able to do this work without them.
Fordham says primary care physicians interested in volunteering at the clinic can either call or email them for more information. Their contact information can be found on their website.
She also says interested patients should call the clinic to attend a screening and schedule an admission appointment.
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