Nonprofit News

Tikkun Olam Joins Three Valley Groups

Volunteers in Medicine, the only free health care provider in the Coachella Valley is grateful to both Sabra Hadassah of the Desert and Congregation Beth Shalom for their support of two Valley initiatives to bring quality care to those who have no medical insurance or are under-insured.

As part of a grant from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s Pacific Southwest Region, Congregation Beth Shalom, Coachella Valley’s Conservative Synagogue, is providing home blood sugar monitoring kits for newly diagnosed patients with diabetes at both VIM’s Palm Springs and Indio locations. Having patients learn to self-monitor their glucose levels at home removes extra practical and financial obstacles so they can begin to see improvements in their diet and activity right away, especially helpful when starting new medications.

Sabra Hadassah of the Desert, a chapter of Hadassah Southern California joined VIM’s Period Products program by bringing trunk-loads of donated sanitary napkins, tampons and pads to VIM’s Indio office, and bagging them for distribution all throughout the Valley to women who cannot afford to buy them.

Their donation of health care equipment, service and caring is a model of collaboration to improve the health and quality of life of our Valley neighbors who supply necessary services for all of us despite lacking health care insurance coverage.

Medical Community Invited to Apply to Volunteer with CVVIM

In addition to providing free access to primary care services in Palm Springs for low-income residents, the new office provides opportunities for those in the medical community to volunteer their services. Ernest “Cliff” Wynne, MD, a board-certified gynecologist, serves as CVVIM’s medical director, seeing patients and overseeing the credentialed volunteer medical care. Volunteers include physicians, dentists, nurses, medical assistants, and even college and high school students in health academy programs who need hours for their certifications. CVVIM has a small paid administrative staff, but administrative volunteers, including greeters and receptionists, also are welcome to apply. “We’re finding there are so many people who want to volunteer, not just physicians,” said Morin. “Maybe someone can’t afford to make a donation, but they want to help and can afford a few hours to volunteer to answer phones.”

CVVIM Operates Solely on Donations

CVVIM does not receive government funding or insurance reimbursement. It operates solely on individual and corporate donations, grants, and fundraising. “Our goal is to keep our overhead expenses as low as possible because we are supported totally by donations,” said Morin. “We want to assure our donors that we are using their money to the best advantage.” While nearly all personnel time is volunteer, donations cover hard service costs like X-rays, MRIs, and other diagnostics, lab work, and medications. Last year, about 220 CVVIM volunteers provided approximately $400,000 in value of free health and dental services to valley residents.

Primary Care and Some Specialty Medical Services

At the Palm Springs office, CVVIM offers primary care, cardiology, and women’s wellness services such as pap smears and mammograms. “We also offer regular referrals to medical providers in the community who will see our patients on a volunteer basis in their practice,” said Morin. “Our patients have access to podiatrists, neurologists, dermatologists, and other specialists. If someone needs care beyond what we can provide, we will help by making referrals to other services or programs,” he said.

CVVIM Future Plans

CVVIM also is in the process of finalizing an agreement with Desert Regional Medical Center’s family medicine residency program, which would include medical residents and faculty physicians serving as part of the CVVIM network of volunteer medical providers. Morin estimates that medical residents could begin seeing patients as early as fall 2022.

Other CVVIM plans for the Palm Springs area include a street outreach program like the non-profit has organized in Indio, with volunteers going out on the street to provide medical care to the homeless.

To apply to serve as a volunteer or make a donation to support Coachella Valley Volunteers in medicine, visit, www.CVVIM.org. To inquire about scheduling an appointment, call (760) 342-4414.

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