FREE MEDICAL CLINIC OF COLUMBIA, S.C.

• HISTORY.  The Free Medical Clinic of Columbia was founded in 1984 under the leadership of the Bethlehem Center and the Rev. Bill Bouknight, pastor of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church.  It is located at 1875 Harden Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.
• MISSION.  The mission of the Free Medical Clinic Inc. is to provide quality medical and pharmaceutical care to those without health insurance or adequate resources. The poor using this clinic are provided with general medical treatment and medication for chronic and acute illnesses.  When they need care beyond what the clinic can give, they are referred to hospitals, health departments and doctors' offices.
• STAFF.  The clinic has only three salaried employees. All others who staff it are volunteers. The clinic is governed by a Board of Directors including leaders from legal, religious, health care and business fields.
• SERVICES.  All medical procedures are overseen by a qualified volunteer medical director. Registered Nurses and student nurses perform clinical duties and assist physicians with patient care.  Pharmacists dispense non-narcotic medications from the in house pharmacy assisted by pharmacy technicians. Lab technicians perform tests to supply pertinent information. Non medical volunteers help in many ways such as interviewing patients to determine eligibility and to complete medical charts, file and help in the pharmacy, and provide chaplain resources if requested.
• FUNDING.  The clinic is able to offer its services to the community with the help of volunteers and funds provided by private donors, The United Way, Richland and Lexington county council foundations, civic and religious groups. Patients are asked to give a small donation if possible.