by Jean Sealey
Northeast Florida Builders Association
Volunteers in Medicine opened in Jacksonville in September 2003. The clinic at 41 E. Duval St. provides medical care at no charge to men and women who live or work in Duval County.
Jaguar Builders, a member of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, was general contractor on the project that transformed the former Paulus Music Building into a modern, state-of-the-art medical clinic.
“Our goal is to meet the health care needs of people in the area who do not have access to adequate health insurance,” said Dr. James Burt, retired urologist and co-medical director of VIM-Jacksonville.
Burt learned of the Volunteers in Medicine through retired nurse, Dorothy Dorion, who had heard of the original VIM clinic in Hilton Head while in South Carolina.
“Anyone who meets the income limits, does not have adequate health coverage and lives or works in Duval County may be eligible for services,” Burt said. “Many people work for companies with no health care benefits. If these people are unable to afford individual policies and require medical treatment, the expense is completely out of pocket. VIM-Jacksonville provides for these people and their families.”
The clinic is capable of providing health care services for 10,000 to 12,500 patients annually.
“The number of patients receiving medical services at the clinic has doubled since August 2004,” Burt said, “Patient visits have tripled to more than 4,000 since March 2004.”
West Westmoreland, president of Jaguar Builders, volunteered his company’s services when he learned of the project from longtime friend Rev. Gene Zimmerman.
Westmoreland is accustomed to overcoming obstacles in his own life and business after suffering severe injuries in a motorcycle accident 21 years ago. Westmoreland signed on and started making calls and talking to everyone he knew about the project, particularly to other members of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
The building required complete renovation to meet the needs of VIM-Jacksonville.
The first step was to gut the 1940s-era building.
Other NEFBA members joined the team and brought services and supplies to the project.
NEFBA members such as Esposito Architects, JTE and B&B drywall, Barry Parker Plumbing, Ace Plumbing, United Electrical and Joe Turner Roofing joined Jaguar Builders and contributed goods and services to complete the clinic.
Less than five months from the day Westmoreland obtained permits, the clinic was completed. The doors opened on Sept. 12, 2003.
“Since opening, we have made great progress toward our community service goals,” Burt said. “We have developed a formal relationship with the University of North Florida as a clinical site for the School of Nursing.”
The clinic now employs a full-time faculty member advanced registered nurse practitioner to manage the clinic and provide patients with continuity.
“We have established laboratory services through Consolidated Labs, and the scheduled renovation of the clinic elevator will facilitate use of the second floor for clinical services,” Burt said.
VIM-Jacksonville has acquired X-ray equipment, and in-house X-ray services will be available when setup and inspections are completed.
“We will soon offer sub-specialty consultation in the clinic for ophthalmology, orthopedics, dermatology, women’s health, urology, gastroenterology, hematology oncology, nutrition counseling, diabetes counseling, mental health counseling as well as breast health services through the Komen Grant,” Burt said.
VIM-Jacksonville volunteers include 14 physician providers, 13 nurse practitioners and 40 nurses. In all, more than 110 volunteers rotate through the clinic each month providing services to patients.
“Even so, we always need more medical professionals. Secretarial and clerical services are needed to keep the clinic running smoothly. We strive to cover as much of the fixed costs as possible with volunteer hours, but it is always a challenge to accomplish that.”
The clinic benefits from many supporters who donate time and funds. St.Vincent’s and Baptist hospitals have continued to support VIM-Jacksonville services as well.
“It is estimated that 120,000 Jacksonville workers are without proper health insurance coverage,” Burt said. “The people we serve are generally not covered by programs designed to help the elderly, the unemployed and the disabled. VIM-Jacksonville exists to help fill that gap.”
For more information about Volunteers in Medicine-Jacksonville visit the Web site at vim-jax.org or call the clinic at 399-2766.
The Northeast Florida Builders Association provides education, research, legislative representation, media relations, promotions and programs for its 1,700-plus builder and associate members. The Association is celebrating 61 years of service to members and to the community through various charitable efforts. For more information about member benefits, area builders or the association, call 725-4355 or visit online at www.nefba.com.