Throughout Virginia, free health clinics are in need of volunteers, especially with a reported
11.5% increase in patient demand and 28% increase in patient visits . In the Richmond area, these volunteers serve as a critical resource to help underserved communities receive quality health care. Dr. Steven Farber was a practicing OB-GYN in Roanoke for 33 years before retiring. After moving to Richmond, he reached out to
Health Brigade to volunteer with the clinic.
Dr. Steven Farber is a volunteer OB/GYN at Health Brigade on April 26, 2024, in Richmond, Va. “After I retired, my wife’s like ‘well you still have some skills; it just seems a shame to just throw them away,’” Farber said. “So I contacted them and then started volunteering here.”
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Health Brigade, formerly the Fan Free Clinic, opened in 1970 as the state’s first free clinic. It follows the free charitable clinic model, seeing patients who fall under a 200% federal poverty level or have Medicaid. Some programs, such as mental health counseling, are available for those at 300% as well. Farber has worked with Health Brigade since 2017, providing gynecological care to patients.
Dr. Steven Farber is a volunteer OB/GYN at Health Brigade on April 26, 2024, in Richmond, Va. “You’re serving a population of people that have needs but can’t afford health care, so it’s rewarding that you’re able to offer those services,” Farber said. “My job is to make them feel like they’re being heard and that their needs are important and to try to put them at ease as best as I can during the interaction.” From 2018 to 2022, the number of clinic volunteers decreased from 11,600 to 5,800, according to the
Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics . Data from the
U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps showed that
23% of Americans volunteered with an organization in 2021 , down from 30% in 2019. The decline coincided with the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which some said played a role in the lower numbers. “We have always relied on volunteer clinicians to come in and fill those gaps and to expand our services,” said Kelsea Jeter, program manager at Health Brigade. “Some came back (after the pandemic), some weren’t able to come back.” Health Brigade has more than 100 volunteers in a variety of medical and administrative roles. While the clinic is in need of more licensed practitioners, many are unable to volunteer outside of their day jobs due to time constraints or the policies at their paid workplaces. “I think one of the struggles is that there are folks who want to volunteer and want to give their time, but because of their day job, they just can’t,” Jeter said. “That’s why a lot of our volunteer clinicians are folks who are retired from their normal pre-retirement practice.”
“The heart and soul of what we do”
CrossOver Healthcare Ministry , a faith-based nonprofit with clinics in Richmond and Henrico, has provided health care to low-income, uninsured patients and patients with Medicaid since 1983. The clinic, which serves around 6,700 people each year, includes dental care and eye care services and has a licensed, in-house pharmacy at the Henrico location. Like Health Brigade, CrossOver relies heavily on volunteers. Dr. Jim Dageforde volunteers part time for CrossOver after working in family practice for 34 years in Richmond.
Dr. Jim Dageforde stands for a portrait at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry in Richmond, Va. May 1. “I enjoy the work,” Dageforde said. “I think the interaction is rewarding for them and rewarding for me because we do provide them a place to get quality medical care they would not otherwise have access to.” In addition to doctors and nurses, CrossOver’s volunteers also include administrative workers, interpreters, call center workers and high school interns. “It takes a village,” said Dr. Laura Hunter, a retired volunteer physician at CrossOver who deals in women’s care. “There’s constant turnover; people’s lives change just like we see in every other thing. But I think if you can get them in here one time, they’ll be coming back.”
Dr. Laura Hunter stands for a portrait at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry in Richmond, Va. May 1. Julie Bilodeau, CEO of CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, said CrossOver is always looking for primary care doctors and subspecialists, as well as interpreters to help the clinic's high percentage of patients who do not speak English. With 430 volunteers last fiscal year, Bilodeau said that CrossOver’s volunteer staffing has returned to pre-COVID levels and that she is enthusiastic about the future. “What makes a charitable clinic like CrossOver or Health Brigade or any of us sustainable is the volunteer support,” Bilodeau said. “The volunteers are really the heart and soul of what we do.”
From the Archives: The Women of the Richmond Red Cross Motor Corps
Red Cross Motor Corps
12-21-1945 (cutline) Santa's helpers--Making sure that Christmas gifts arrive on time at McGuire Hospital are (left to right), Misses Mary Jackson Shepherd, Martha Lafferty, Ann Rose, Sudie Mann and Archer Christian, members of the Red Cross Motor Corps. Red Cross Motor Corps
02-23-1948 (cutline): Miss Diane Hunt (left) is loading a cargo desintine for McGuire with assistance of Miss Nancy Poindexter. Red Cross Motor Corps
09-19-1943 (cutline): Mrs. Jan Laverge, Motor Corps, directs servicemen into station wagon for quick transfer to make rail connection. Red Cross Motor Corps
07-23-1942 (cutline): Miss Emma Fensom leads her winning group past the judges. Red Cross Motor Corps
09-04-1952 (cutline): Taxi service at work--Miss Ellen Armentrout (left), chairman of the Richmond Red Cross motor service, helps Mrs. Frances Tucker out of a car at the Medical College of Virginia. Driving patients to and from the hospital's clinic and bloodmobile constitutes the greater part of the work done by the motor service volunteers. Red Cross Motor Corps
03-19-1942 (cutline): Motor Corps Holds Test Drill--The Henrico Red Cross Motor Corps holds its first test drill or workout in uniform to show what the women can do after completing Red Cross courses in first-aid and advanced first-aid. They have also completed training in motor mechanics and have had military drill under Colonel Sheppard Crump and blackout test driving under Chief Hendrick. In the picture: Mr. K.L. Jones, instructor in motor mechanics, is giving some las minute advice. Left to right: Miss Ann Vaughan, Mrs. Crump, Mrs. W.B. Cherry and Captain Mary Simmons. Red Cross Motor Corps
01-23-1942 (cutline): The Red Cross Motor Corps and Canteen held a regional conference at the Jefferson Hotel yesterday , with representatives from 20 Red Cross units. Speakers were Mrs. F. Trubee Davison, national director of the Motor Corps, and Mrs. Graham Dougherty, national director of canteen. Talking over plans before the conference (left to right) Mrs. Dougherty, Mrs. John G. Hayes, chairman of the Woman's Red Cross War Council, who introduced the speakers, and Mrs. Davison. Red Cross Motor Corps
07-05-1942 (cutline): Mrs. Herbert L. Smith, Mrs. T. Kent Norment, sergeant, and Mrs. Henry Sycle, lieutenant, carrying stretchers from the East End Casualty Center at Leigh Street Baptist Church. Because of the establishment of these centers, the Red Cross Motor Corps needs many more volunteers. Red Cross Motor Corps
09-09-1943 (cutline): Swimming teams are (left to right) Miss McVey carrying Mrs. Brydon, Miss Emma Fensom (submerged) carrying Miss Jean Fensom, and Mrs.Jackson carrying Mrs. Trice. Red Cross Motor Corps
03-17-1953 (cutline): On guard--Members of the local Red Cross Motor Corps with the assistance of members of the city police force have the responsibility of depositing campaign funds turned in at the Richmond-Henrico-Chesterfied Red Cross report luncheons. Above, C.S. McKenney turns over some of the money collected at yesterday's luncheon to Mrs. Patrick Walsh, of the Motor Corps. Red Cross Motor Corps
08-31-1943 (cutline): Motor Corps Farmettes--Without the assistance of (left to right) Mrs. Ernest Trice, Miss Bee Fitzgerald, Miss Mabel Forbes, Miss Jean Fensom and Miss Emma Fensom, George A. Herman, of Creighton Rd., would have been unable to get his onions planted. These girls, members of the Red Cross Motor Corps, also recently helped in picking tomatoes and other vegetables and cutting weeds. Red Cross Motor Corps
09-06-1942: Mrs. Molly in the driver's seat--the Richmond Motor Corps. Red Cross Motor Corps
09-06-1942 (cutline): It's an army truck, and behind the windshield, delivering supplies for the Richmond Air Base Hospital, are Mrs. Anne Pinckney and Mrs. John DeWolf, Jr. Red Cross Motor Corps
05-28-1947 (cutline): Clothing collected for overseas relief--Members of the Red Cross Motor Corps, pick up materials contributed by local merchants from unclained and unsalable goods for the drive for overseas relief. Mrs. W. Earl Miller, chairman of the spcial sources committee, has announced that more than 300 merchants have responded to the appeal. Fifty-trucks and drivers have been donated for the city-wide, house-to-house pickup of clothing, bedding and shoes slated for Saturday. Red Cross Motor Corps
03-30-1945 (cutline): On tour of Richmond and Red Cross activities for the Philippine Islands, Mrs. William Rustia and Miss Aurea Labador see the sights. Their escort is Mrs. Clem Belmeur, of the Red Cross Motor Corps. Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
