(Photo courtesy of Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades)
Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades (VIM) announced that it has been awarded the prestigious Gold Rating by the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) Quality Standards Program. This recognition underscores VIM’s commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive healthcare services to uninsured and critically underserved working adults in need throughout Central Oregon.
The NAFC Quality Standards Program is an accreditation process that evaluates free and charitable clinics across the United States based on a set of rigorous clinical and administrative standards. Achieving a Gold Rating demonstrates an organization’s dedication to excellence in healthcare delivery, patient safety, and organizational governance.
“We are incredibly proud of the impact that Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades has had on our community,” said Sarah Hall, chair of the Board of Directors. “Receiving this Gold Rating from the NAFC Quality Standards Program is a validation of our commitment to excellence and a testament to the compassion and dedication of our volunteers and staff.”
VIM provides access to healthcare services to uninsured and underserved working adults across Central Oregon (Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties). Through a network of volunteer healthcare professionals, pro-bono healthcare providers in the region, and support volunteers, the clinic offers medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmaceutical services at no cost to patients. In addition to providing direct patient care, VIM is actively involved in community outreach and education initiatives aimed at promoting community wellness and advocating for culturally responsive care for the clinic’s majority Latinx patient population. The clinic’s holistic approach to healthcare emphasizes community partnerships to address underlying social determinants of health and empowering patients to take control of their overall well-being.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters who are committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the healthcare they need to thrive,” said Kat Mastrangelo, executive director of Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades.
About Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades:
Now honoring 20 years of caring, Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades provides healthcare to low-income, working adults who live in Central Oregon and have no medical insurance or means to pay for care. Using a community approach, 200+ in-clinic volunteers and 300 local medical partners collaborate to provide patients with necessary primary and specialty medical care, prescription medications and mental health care. Patient costs of $154 per visit are funded by patient donations along with local and regional individual, corporate and foundation supporters. Because of the dedicated efforts of our volunteers, every $1 raised is leveraged into $3.82 worth of services, generating more than $150 million worth of care since VIM opened in 2004.
