The Community Health Clinic of Butler County is a nonprofit agency, committed to providing free health care and dental care for uninsured, income-eligible ($21,660 per year for a single person household and $44,100 per year for a four person household), Butler County residents, ages 19 through 64.

It is a VIM (Volunteers in medicine) clinic, with more than 150 volunteers keeping county residents healthy and able to work. Volunteers at the clinic include medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical assistants, eligibility assistants, and any motivated individual wanting to help.

With over 1,900 patients, the clinic has recognized the patients’ needs and has adapted.

In November 2009, the dental portion of the clinic opened. With seven volunteer dentists, and two volunteer oral surgeons, the clinic has helped many patients who haven’t been to the dentist in 10 years or more, as well as helping patients with a healthy mouth stay that way.

The clinic also offers such services as diabetic education and counseling, assistance with the financial aid program at Butler Memorial Hospital, and referrals to other agencies that may be helpful to the patient.

The need for the clinic is reflected by a patient who said, “If the clinic wasn’t here, I would not be receiving regular health care. I don’t know where I would get my medication.”

The clinic also uses the Patient Assistance Program, which helps patients get medications at no cost by applying to the pharmaceutical companies.

There is an eligibility screening process, and once deemed eligible, a new patient physical examination appointment is scheduled and follow-up appointments are scheduled as needed. There is always a need for help with these many services, such as volunteering at the clinic, or helping with one of the clinic fundraisers.

Without the support of the community, the clinic would not be able to function. The Community Health Clinic receives no federal dollars, and relies solely on private donations, corporate giving and grants.

The clinic also has fundraising events throughout the year. These are Music for Medicine in the fall, the A.M. Rotary Sweetheart Gala in the winter, and new this year, the Walk for Good Health, a walkathon on May 21.

To apply to be a patient, or if you are interested in helping with this cause, call 724-841-0980 or come to the Community Health Clinic at 103 Bonnie Drive, Butler, PA 16002, or visit the website at www.butlerhealthclinic.org.

This article was submitted by the Community Health Clinic of Butler County.