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The mainland could soon have its own free medical center in the model of the groundbreaking Hilton Head Island Volunteers in Medicine Clinic.
Jennifer Brown, a former director of volunteers for the island clinic, is hoping to open up a similar clinic on S.C. 46 by this summer to provide medical care to people without insurance or who can't afford to pay for doctor's visits. Brown so far has set up a board of directors, including Bluffton State Rep. Bill Herbkersman, and has garnered an outpouring of support from nurses and other physicians eager to donate. She's also applying for grants and working on renting a building across from the Bluffton Post Office.
The organizers recently established bylaws and are applying for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. They also selected Dr. Barry Hellman, an island-based cardiologist, to be the clinic's medical director.
Brown said the time is right to open a mainland clinic to match the population boom from Bluffton to Hardeeville, and because the island clinic has been getting busier. A mother of four, she knows what it's like for a struggling family to cover medical costs. For most of the past 30 years, she didn't have health insurance.
"It was wicked. I'm working hard, I'm holding down two, sometimes three jobs to pay my bills and pay Uncle Sam," she said. "I just didn't have enough to pay medical insurance. I don't want others to have to go through it."
Brown is in need of doctors. They are not required to have a current license to volunteer, she said. Anyone looking to participate or donate can contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
