Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative

I volunteer and sit on the board for BVMI and have been nothing but impressed but their mission and impact on the community. BVMI is full of outstanding people, who wake up everyday excited to come to work and provide healthcare to those who are in need. Their passion is infectious and there mission is unmatched!

I volunteer at BVMI once a week to get referrals to specialists for patients. At this BVMI there is definitely the Culture of Caring. The volunteers are terrific, but it is the full time staff who are the true heroes. And they have worked continuously through this pandemic period to answer patient calls, arrange for lab and imaging tests, and treat and comfort patients via telehealth.
Robert B Zurier, MD

Love being part of this clinic as a volunteer. The staff and fellow volunteers always make sure to put the patient first and provide the best care possible. Everyone is friendly but professional at the same time. It's amazing to be part of a place that helps the undeserved of our area!

Honestly the best volunteer opportunity that I have experienced. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming, especially the coordinator, Elaine. BVMI goes above and beyond for what they do for their patients and their staff.

I have never experienced such dedicated professions who put those they serve, the most vulnerable, first. I am honored to work along side this wonderful crew

I began to volunteer at BVMI in April 2019. In a short time I felt valued and needed.The patients are so appreciative ! I look forward to continuing to work with the skilled and devoted staff serving the community wholeheartedly. I am grateful for the opportunity to feel so fulfilled.
L P Robinson, MD FACOG

I connected with BVMI a little over a year ago when I was looking for an opportunity to give back to my community, ever since then I’ve been serving as their volunteer social media consultant. Through my volunteer experience with BVMI, it’s clear that their patients are at the forefront of everything they do. The people who work and volunteer there are so warm and compassionate. BVMI is a true asset to Bergen County!

I volunteered at BVMI for six months in 2019 and felt welcome the moment I walked through the doors. They have a dedicated Volunteer Manager who is just a wonderful person and so helpful and supportive to all the volunteers. I found all the staff members very friendly and hard-working. I was very impressed by the work of the doctors and nurses in the clinic - many are volunteers themselves and give their personal time to help working poor have access to healthcare. The offices and clinic are both new and modern facilities and do not have the feeling of a dated, institutional clinic for those in need. I would recommend anyone become a volunteer at BVMI!

BVMI just celebrated its 10th anniversary providing healthcare to individuals and families in Bergen County, who are working but do not have access to health insurance or any other means of healthcare. I consider myself fortunate to be among a committed group of volunteers and staff members dedicated to serving our Bergen County neighbors in such a critical way. The impact of my time and financial support is experienced first-hand, is tremendously rewarding, and our 1,500+ patients are incredibly grateful. We are indeed improving the quality of their lives and in many cases saving their lives!

The Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative is a great nonprofit and worth the time. Transparent practices and great staff members!

I joined BVMI as a volunteer medical scribe and have become part of the BVMI family. The administration, volunteers, and employees all resonate the overall values of BVMI, ones that strive for compassion, respect, and dignity. The organization and its individuals are able to successfully continue with the goal of providing healthcare services and education to the community. I am grateful to have been able to join this group of individuals and I hope to be involved throughout my career.

I was placed at BVMI during the summer as an intern and I have to say I had an amazing experience. The staff go above and beyond to help their clients as well and provide resources they need or find informative. From hearing their patient stories all of their patients felt taken care of and knew they were in the best hands.

I volunteered with BVMI for a little over a year before starting medical school myself. It was truly one of the best experiences I have ever had. The staff is full of genuine people who actually want to help. From the front desk to the doctors, to the administration running the show, it is non-stop love for their work and the patients. With the growing population of uninsured patients across the US, it is a breathe of fresh air to see people who will give their time and effort to helping without any compensation. I cannot recommend BVMI enough to both patients looking for help, or volunteers, be it doctors, translators, office staff, or people who are willing to fold papers to be mailed. Amazing place. Amazing people.

I am one of the volunteers and I just want to state what a wonderful organization bvmi is. The staff and volunteers are all nurturing, bright and are helping to change the lives of the community they serve. I'm very proud to be a part of this organization

BVMI is a wonderful nonprofit that works tirelessly to save the lives of those that come to the center. Everyone should have access to medical care and that is what BVMI does for so many working Bergen County residents that wouldn’t be able to get access to it without them. In addition, BVMI helps keep visits to the ERs down by helping with preventive care and diagnosing issues quickly. The volunteers spend quality time with their patients to get a really good understanding of their needs and where they can help and add value. Its an organization that betters those lives that they touch and in many cases have saved lives. Everyone involved from the staff to the doctors and nurses are heroes in my opinion, they are doing meaningful work every day to give back to a community that so desperately needs it. I am proud to be a part of BVMI

An incredible team of medical providers volunteering their time and talents to a very squeezed and often forgotten segment of the population... the working uninsured.
The staff is very talented and dedicated. The medical care is comprehensive and incredibly efficient but solely dependent upon the generosity of its donors.

Terrific staff. Highly motivated, caring individuals working closely together to help those less fortunate.

Having the opportunity to volunteer and be apart of BVMI was truly an amazing experience. BVMI is one of a kind, the amount of kindness and caring that is shown to each patient as well as staff and other volunteers is heartwarming. It is clear that everyone has the same goal, to help people where it is needed and they go above and beyond!

I've had the pleasure of being involved with BVMI for the past 2 years. I'm in awe of the great work they do for the low-income, working uninsured of Bergen County. These words from a patient highlight how much BVMI means to them:

"I am very grateful for BVMI and for the people who have aided me in whatever way they could, I am very grateful for how they have helped me; I am diabetic and I give thanks for all the help of all the people like me; without you guys, I would not be able to receive medical services. God Bless You! "

BVMI's mission is to provide free primary medical care to working residents of Bergen County, NJ who have neither health insurance nor the means to obtain it. A majority of the healthcare providers are volunteers: doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, dieticians, dentists, etc. The facility in Hackensack, NJ has been in operation since 2009 and is the medical home for over 1400 registered patients, many of whom have chronic conditions requiring continuity of care. When necessary, referrals are made to a panel of specialists who have agreed to treat BVMI's patients gratis in their offices. The area's hospitals perform X-rays and diagnostic procedures such as CAT scans and MRIs, and often have admitted patients for surgeries and other sophisticated procedures. The organization has been an important member of the healthcare community in Bergen County, New Jersey.

BVMI's team is top notch as evidenced by the fact that it consistently outperforms its peers' (Medicaid HMOs) on all national quality benchmarks. Bergen County is lucky to have such an outstanding organization taking care of its working poor and I'm proud to be involved with this wonderful team.

I've been volunteering at BVMI for approximately 6 months and it has been a very rewarding experience. Every person I've interacted with, from volunteer professional doctors and nurses to the full-time administrative and office staff, is truly committed to the mission of bringing the highest-quality free medical care to those in need in Bergen County. Everyone has a positive attitude and treats our patients with respect and dignity. It's a pleasure to be associated with this wonderful non-profit.

It’s too easy to tell you why BVMI is such a great non profit organization. The feedback from the patients that are served through this organization is amazing! These patients so appreciate the dedicated care they receive and they are not even aware that the staff are all volunteers as well!
It’s well run and truly an amazing organization. It’s wonderful when you can see the direct results of your own giving and dedication.

I joined the BVMI volunteer team because I believe that everyone deserves to have quality health care. I also joined because I thought by aligning myself with BVMI I could make a difference and do some good. That is what BVMI is all about. From the dedicated doctors and nurses, to the support staff, everyone is motivated by one thing, and that is to help bring health care to those who might not otherwise have it.

This organization provides amazing care to their patients and enables all of their volunteers to learn and be of help. All of the providers and staff are kind and attentive people. It is a wonderful organization to volunteer for.

Working as a Registered Nurse at BVMI is one of the best experiences of my life.
We take care of the physical and emotional problems of our patients.
Everybody at BVMI is ready to help, to listen and willing to try to solve issues that for our
patients sometimes are problems that can cause a great deal of stress to them and to their families as well.

I am a recently retired Psycho-Therapist with over 30 years of experience, including my private practice in Ridgewood, NJ.

I learned about BVMI from a magazine article describing the staff of professionals specializing in medical and mental illness. BVMI's services provided me with an opportunity to continue treating individuals with emotional illnesses.

After a thorough review of my background and credentials, I began to provide therapy to men and women with emotional and environmental issues. The gratitude, feedback and respect that I have received from my patients has been a humbling experience.

I attribute my success at BVMI to the teamwork of all of the volunteers and staff at BVMI.

I recently retired and wanted to volunteer at a location that was doing good things for people in need. I found this at BVMI. What a wonderful place filled with talented and caring people who want to provide excellent healthcare for patients. Serving as a translator and helping out at the front desk allows me to contribute. Thank you BVMI for helping so many people and for allowing me to contribute to your mission.

I have been aware of BVMI since it's inception. They do wonderful work helping working poor in my community. It is inspiring to see people treated with caring, dignity and respect, all in a professional, state of the art facility. It has been an honor to volunteer in the from office for the past 5 years.

With ever-increasing healthcare cost, many people can't afford to get medical insurance for themselves and their families. They are being left behind to fend for themselves. Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative is part of the effort of non-profit organizations trying to fill the gap. We are providing free clinic for low-income working families living in Bergen County ( NJ), who have no medical insurance coverage. Doctors ,nurses and other healthcare providers, such as Social Workers, Nutritionists,.. are all volunteers, donating their time and effort keeping community member healthy. This also serves public health need for early detection of communicable diseases to prevent spreading. I am glad to be part of the effort.

Great & friendly environment. Always something to learn. Perfect place for anyone who wants to help in their community.

I am a fairly new volunteer at BVMI. I find the staff to be extremely pleasant to work with and I am proud to be a (small) part of the effort. The work this non-profit does is nothing short of amazing. They provide compassionate, caring, thorough health care, in an immaculate and comfortable setting to patients who would otherwise never get to see a doctor. The staff genuinely care about the patients and treat them with utmost respect.

Furthermore, I worked at various non-profits for many years. Many say they want volunteers.....but in truth have very little work for them to do. Or they may not yet have figured out how to delegate work to volunteers. At BVMI, I have seen that volunteers are truly considered a valuable asset and resource, are given work that needs to be done, and are made to feel useful and appreciated.

I would give Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative way more than FIVE STARS if it were possible. If I had significant funds to donate to a non-profit organization, there is no doubt that this is the one I would chose.

The staff at BVMI goes above and beyond to make each and every patient feel like they are part of the family. The patient visits are are holistic and detailed as possible, providing patients with excellent medical services and advice. The staff is always warm, friendly and happy to help with just about anything. As a volunteer in the development office I have been able to see firsthand the enormous about of work that goes into fundraising and properly allocating resources to optimize the money raised.

BVMI is a wonderful community resource - it provides free primary medical care to the working poor. Most of the medical providers are volunteers, and they want to be there. The result is a caring environment where patients feel valued. It is also a great place to volunteer, where the staff makes the extra effort to match a volunteer's skills to BVMI's needs.

I volunteer at BVMI because I believe everyone has a right to good health. I am fortunate enough to have health care while some people do not have health care. Because of this, I do my part to ensure people are taken care of by professionals who care about them.

Bergen Volunteer Medical Center (BVMI) is an unbelievable non-profit. Prior to this year, I did not know such an organization existed. I, a high-school student, was conducting research on the status of healthcare for people who could not afford it and what can be done for them, for my public policy class. It was appalling to me how people in my own community did not have access to affordable health care. Then I discovered BVMI. I was blown away by all the good it was and is doing for the community. It is so humbling to think that volunteer doctors and nurses come together to, simply put, help others. It was also comforting to know that the people in my community had somewhere to go when they needed medical care. BVMI's determination and passion to serve the underserved is necessary and truly a blessing. I believe that healthcare is a right and BVMI believes it too.

I am an RN who retired in 2012 after working for 44 years. I was looking to volunteer at a place that I could be of service. BVMI turned out to be the place.
The patients are hardworking, motivated, and appreciative people. The staff of doctors and nurses are also volunteers. It is a learning and teaching experience for all involved.
I know that BVMI has a large impact on neighborhood emergency rooms. Prevention of medical issues as emergencies is addressed through patient education and follow up.

I have been involved with BVMI for more than a year. I started with BVMI to help the community and I never imagined the impact it would have on me. I feel great and helpful. when I get back home I feel a huge fulfillment because I feel that I helped a family to have a better life. If everyone helps at least one person or one family a day this world would be different. And for that I THANK YOU BVMI.
Mercedes

BVMI is special to me
1- because of the good it is doing providing health care to many people who could not otherwise obtain it,
2- because of the extraordinary volunteers who WANT to be there, offering their truly expert care in all health care fields,
3- because the concept of what we are doing is so compelling it continues to attract not only volunteers but donors as well.

The impact on the local community is many fold, 1- reducing the use of the five hospital ERs for primary care, which in turn lowers state taxes on the public, 2- improving the public health by treating undetected communicable diseases, 3- by diagnosing and treating common medical conditions such as HBP, Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, as well as advising on
care of obesity and mental health issues.

I continue to support BVMI because of all of the above, and to quote the first VIM founder Dr John McConnel, “It is a joy to do what we are doing."

Dr. Samuel Cassell
BVMI Founding Chair

Every person goes above and beyond to help our patients: from the lab, to reception area to our nursing/medical volunteers - everyone takes an interest in our patients that goes beyond the physical! We all work together to help our patients any way we can (providing educational information, finding the place for the least expensive medications, working around schedules, providing interpretors etc). Sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest impact - we try to let them know how much we care!

As a volunteer an interpreter at BVMI, I have been able to see first hand the doctor-patient interaction at the clinic. The doctors and nurses truly care about all the patients at the clinic and it shows. I see the ongoing efforts of staff to get patients seen by specialists, following up with patients to make sure they have gotten their diagnostic testing, etc. More than once, I have been told by patients how lucky they feel to be at a clinic like ours and how great care they receive. BVMI really makes a difference in not only patient's health, but also their lives.

BVMI provides healthcare to the working poor, who would otherwise not be able to afford healthcare or health insurance. Without this healthcare (which includes preventive screenings), patients would either be left with excessive bills or be forced to go without necessary care. Lives have been saved due to early cancer detection and connection with treatment.

My name is Sandra and I am a patient at BVMI. I am really, really, happy here and all of the doctors are so nice here. They give me so much attention and make sure they do everything they can to make sure I get what I need. I don't have insurance or Charity Care and they try to help me get the care I need. Mary is a doctor here and she makes herself available whenever I need it. I am really, really, really, happy here. Blanca, Michael, Dania, Rebecca - the front desk staff is super nice. I get gynecological care here as well... In addition to primary care! I feel so lucky and thankful. They listen to me and make sure I receive everything I need. They are super professional and courteous. Most importantly, they have a BIG heart!

I had clipped an article about the opening of the clinic several years ago when I was not in a position to volunteer. When my schedule cleared up, I reached out and began spending one afternoon a week in the office, scheduling patient appointments. During those calls, I have learned how much our patients appreciate the care they are receiving at BVMI. Their "Thank you's" are abundant and full of enthusiasm. This is evidence enough that BVMI is doing great and important work!

Volunteering for BVMI has taught me a lot about working in a non profit environment. Being a Clinical Laboratory science major and having this experience outside the classroom has really taught me things that my program doesn't cover as much. Even though I have only been here a brief time, I feel that I've gained a lot and hope to continue to help make an impact for the patients at BVMI.

I have been volunteering at BVMI for seven years since it opened its doors. The doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals, and many lay office staff like myself come to help people who are in desperate need of medical care and don't have health insurance or the means to pay a private doctor. These are people who live and work in our communities and in our homes. The BVMI staff are professional and caring people; the BVMI patients are so grateful for the personalized care they receive. We all benefit -- we as individuals, and we as a society.

Not that I was looking for a job, but I have always liked helping people, whether it is finding nutmeg in the spice isle for someone or brightening someone's day.

I saw a "help wanted" ad in the newspaper, looking for doctors and nurses to volunteer their free time at BVMI. Upon seeing this very ad, I called saying that I was good letter folder/envelope stuffer, and with that being said, I have been having a great time at BVMI for over 3 years.

Sometimes, I make phone calls telling supporters what exciting events will be coming up soon, other times I help send out letters thanking people for all of the good that they have done. I have learned a lot volunteering at BVMI. For example, I have learned about keeping letters in zip code order in order to qualify for a nonprofit rate at the post office.

Thank you, BVMI, for getting me out of my home and helping make me feel useful.

As a retired medical specialist, it has been a honor as well as a great personal pleasure to volunteer at BVMI - providing preventive, maintenance, and often urgent care, to the working poor who do not have health insurance (i.e. available health care). This is a situation that I rarely experienced in over 40 years of medical practice, prior to my retirement.

The environment at BVMI - The Culture of Caring - providing necessary healthcare in a skilled, professional, and dignified manner is of crucial importance to the well-being of our patients, their families, and the community. Being at BVMI gives me a wonderful, warm, moral feeling justifying my personal and professional role as a physician.

This is medical practice the way that I had hoped it would be, at its' moral and ethical best at BVMI.

BVMI provides healthcare to people who do not have health insurance. Every person is treated with kindness and respect.

It's a wonderful organization, supported by amazing staff and volunteers.

They're fantASTic!! I love them so much. I saw drASTic changes in my health, for the better. LASTly, I would recommend them to anyone, as these people are truly ASTounding!!

I am a volunteer dermatologist at this free clinic for uninsured people of limited means. It is very gratifying to help these people who really would be otherwise deprived of any medical care. This is a great organization for helping those who "fall through the cracks" of our American health care system.

I am both a volunteer physician and financial supporter of BVMI because this is truly a special organization. The medical care provided at BVMI is top notch, but beyond that, the culture of caring and compassion benefits all involved, patients and practitioners alike.
I am thankful for BVMI and all of the staff and behind-the-scenes work that allows me to show up to work and be the best doctor I can be, more than that actually, I thank BVMI for giving me the opportunity to be a better person.

I have volunteered at BVMI since 2010 when I graduated from nursing school. In all those years, I have felt like I belong to something really, really good. It sounds so simple, and it is: give the best care possible, to those who need it most, by those who do it best.

I am a nurse practitioner, and I started to volunteer when BVMI initially opened in 2009. The goals of BVMI are to provide much needed health care and wellness promotion to those who need it most in our community. It always amazes me that this organization runs so proficiently, and with empathy for the clients, in the most professional ways possible. I am proud to be associated with BVMI; they help me to be a better person, and to do the right thing for our community.

I am consistently amazed at the results seen at BVMI. Patients are so grateful for the services provided. The setting is inviting and respectful and the appreciative feedback from those served is best evidence of why this organization so great to support.
The people who work at BVMI are such caring and supportive individuals. Its also amazing to see how cohesive the group is.
I personally am very rewarded from this opportunity. After working in the health insurance industry for so many years, in a role with little contact with the people who receive the services, its a pleasure to see very first hand how the services provided are making a difference in peoples' lives. In the work that I do to help raise the funding needed to support BVMI's ability to serve the community, I am very rewarded and grateful to be associated with such a dedicated group of individuals who are truly making a difference in the lives of the community..

BVMI is a friendly, professional healthcare organization that prioritizes its patients' needs and focuses on disease prevention and management. The community of Bergen County is fortunate to have such an effective, competent and adaptable nonprofit to help improve residents' standard of life. I am always happy to volunteer with BVMI because their team is passionate and forward-thinking. Primary care, chronic condition management and disease prevention/screening are vital but often absent for individuals with no health insurance coverage. BVMI works to improve individual health, reduce unnecessary stress on the county's emergency departments and promote healthy living for all. It's truly a great nonprofit!

I signed up to be a volunteer nurse at least six months before BVMI officially opened. Not sure what to expect, I was very happy to see first hand the compassionate care provided by everyone from the staff at the front desk to the lab technicians to the nurses and practitioners, as well as the non-clinical volunteers. Patients were professionally and warmly welcomed, examined and treated with respect, and assisted with future appointments. Nobody was rushed through the process. I continue to support and volunteer at BVMI because the staff and volunteers respect each other and patients continue to be cared for in a caring manner. Everybody who is involved with BVMI is there because they want to make a difference and improve the lives of those with limited access to health care. When I read about the lives that have been changed because of BVMI, I am proud to be a small part of what happens.

BVMI is a hidden gem of medical care for a very needy population. Patients get care from dedicated professionals - a few paid staff but mostly volunteer professionals. My service as a volunteer provides the opportunity while retired, to continue using my education and the skills I acquired while working for 36 years at a nearby major medical center. Unlike work in the hospital, I see patients before they have developed acute problems and by educating them on healthy eating, I am able to help them prevent hospitalization. The care given at BVMI places a strong emphasis on healthy living and prevention of the complications of major diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. As we help people control risk factors and improve their health, both they and society at large benefit. Our patients are very appreciative of the care they get and their expressions of thanks makes my work rewarding.

It is great to work for an organization providing medical care to working people who don't have insurance, and have significant health issues. This is an unmet need, that BVMI is dedicated to providing for.

Everyone should have basic health care which includes regular blood tests, mammograms, diabetes screening, prostate exams and others. They should also be able to get treatment and follow up when necessary. Most people have insurance for this, but, some working people, for one reason or another, are unable to get insurance. BVMI provides services to these people at no cost. Discovering health problems early makes treatment more effective and reduces emergency room visits which are expensive for the government.

Every patient is treated with dignity and respect as if they were a member of the family. The care is not rushed and all efforts are made to help the patient afford the treatment plan or find deep discounts. There is a great effort made to work within the patient's cultural system of values and interpreters are always available to the clinician/patient interaction.

In my former role as a community affairs manager for a major corporation, I've been blessed to work with hundreds of nonprofits. Before long, it gets easy to figure out which ones really stand out when it comes to living their mission. BVMI is that outstanding nonprofit. They have it all: seasoned medical expertise, patients who rave about the care they receive, passionate volunteers and top quality leadership.

The first time I walked into the waiting room at their clinic and talked with staff, volunteers and patients, I was on my way to becoming a fan. Everyone at BVMI cares. A lot. And the patients know it and feel it.

People "get better" at BVMI, physically and emotionally. So it's an honor to help them share their challenges and successes through various communications. They have wonderful stories to tell. The donations they receive (dollars, equipment, services and more) are put to good use, and that's something their supporters and volunteers need to know.

BVMI - the most helper !! I'd to joint and help work as a volunteer

BVMI is a first rate out patient medical facility that provides outstanding care to patients that qualify to be treated there. As one of the volunteer physicians working at the facility I can attest to the dedication that the entire nursing staff has. Every one associated with BVMI has a strong desire to help our patients.