(Published in the Jasper County Sun Times)
More than a year ago, with a generous grant from the Palmetto Electric Trust, Bluffton Jasper Volunteers in Medicine (BJVIM) opened a satellite clinic in Ridgeland.
The clinic has provided more than 500 patient visits. Currently, the clinic is open on Monday mornings for patient enrollment and Wednesdays for primary care.
Once a month the clinic provides eye exams and glasses for its patients. BJVIM has also collaborated with AccessHealth Low Country and with the Pregnancy Center, which parks a mobile van at the clinic every Tuesday.
“While these services were planned when we opened the clinic last June, our biggest success story has been the collaboration with Dr. Earl Bostick for dental care,” said Pam Toney, executive director or BJVIM. “We received a grant from the South Carolina BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation last year to help us with our dental program. Dr. Bosick has really helped us fill a void in our services. With additional help from the Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health we are now providing dental care to over 25 patients a month.”
The need for dental services for our patients is great and with the help of these two groups we can now offer additional services for those in need.
The Bluffton Jasper Volunteers in Medicine is a free clinic for the uninsured and must rely on grants, donations and fundraisers to meet its budget.
BJVIM holds four major fundraisers annually. The second event of the year will be at the Lake Club Latitude/Margaritaville (formerly known as Hilton Head Lakes on 278) at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 27.
The Christmas in July event will feature dinner catered by Carrabba’s Italian restaurant, and music by an Elvis impersonator.
BJVIM will sell raffle tickets for a chance to win a Christmas time weekend at Biltmore in Asheville, N.C.
It’s a three-night stay, breakfast and dinner, tickets to the estate and a special candlelight evening tour of the grounds.
Tickets for the dinner are $50 per person and can be purchased at the Bluffton Clinic, 1Burnt Church Rd. Bluffton, Monday- Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or at the Ridgeland clinic at 11332 North Jacob Smart Blvd. on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m..
$10 raffle tickets may be purchased after July 31 at the same locations.
For more information, call 843-406-7090 ext.104
