For Hometown news
MARTIN COUNTY -- The Volunteers in Medicine Clinic appointed Jamie Garner, a veteran marketing and planning specialist, to the newly created position of development officer.
Ms. Garner comes to VIM Clinic with more than 20 years' experience in marketing, communications and sales support with Fortune 100 companies. She will be responsible for developing new revenue streams for VIM Clinic, which has relied heavily on its annual black-tie fundraising gala.
The annual Jan. 26 gala traditionally raises half the clinic's operating costs. However, Mary Fields, executive director, said the need for health care services among the medically indigent continues to grow in Martin County.
"After 17 years of relying on fundraising events, we recognize it's time to take a more strategic planning approach to secure our future," said Ms. Fields. .
"We want to be able to keep up with the demand for our services in meeting our mission."
Since Volunteers in Medicine was created in October 1995, there have been more than 145,000 patient visits to the clinic.
In addition to the volunteer medical practitioners who see VIM patients, Martin Health System provides more than $6 million in free laboratory and diagnostic services.
Patients go through a rigorous screening process to qualify. They receive comprehensive care that can range from annual checkups to major surgery, depending on the volunteer services available. As a result, VIM saves taxpayers millions in indigent care that would otherwise be provided at Martin Health Systems.
For more information about VIM Clinic, call (772) 463-4128 or visit www.vimclinic.net.