After working for the Clinic for the last two months as the Clinical Operations VISTA, I can honestly say that it is like no other. The Clinic provides for its volunteers by making them as comfortable as they can be. Having the opportunity for so many different volunteer positions is also a perk. I am given a ton of responsibility as a VISTA, but we also have the opportunity to practice medical recording for providers which gives all of our volunteers a unique insight into an actual patient visit.
I have been working full-time at the clinic for mere months, and I'm blown away by how effectively the Clinic uses its time and resources to provide excellent care to the under-served. As the Data Analyst VISTA, I have the opportunity to tell the story of the Clinic through numbers. The exponential growth in the number of patients, patient visits, and volunteers at the Clinic over the years speaks for itself. The Clinic does amazing work, and every year more and more people take notice, and take action either through directing patients to the Clinic or direct service. I am proud to support the mission and vision of the Clinic.
Volunteering at the Rhode Island Free Clinic has been one of the best professional experiences of my career. First, contributing to the mission and work of the clinic is inherently rewarding and fulfilling as you are helping the organization provide comprehensive care to uninsured people that are pleasantly appreciative for the services that they receive. I have seen many cases in which the clinic was able identify serious diseases in patients, most of which have never seen a doctor before, and intervene before the disease became life-threatening. It makes me wonder what would happen to these patient's without the help of the clinic. Many patient's also come to the clinic with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, in which they do not have the resources to manage their disease and are consequently sufferring everyday. Through the clinic's partnerships, they provide countless services including medications (PAP or some free through CVS) physical therapy, diabetes education, nutrition, mental health counseling, treatment from specialists (neurologists, orthopedists, endocrinologists, etc.) which fosters a collaborative and holistic environment thus enabilig even the most complex patient's receive all of the care they need. I have been deeply proud to be involved in such a great organization in which I can honestly say that everyone I work with is pleasant and dedicated. Volunteers are consistently treated with respect and are frequently acknowledged for their hard work. On countless nights at the clinic I have been fed for free and have been surrounded by countless smiles and "thank-yous." The RI Free Clinic is by far the #1 non-profit to donate your time and/or money too if you are able to and interested in providing care to underserved Rhode Island residents who may otherwise go sick with poor health outcomes.