Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic

The Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the residents of Gloucester and Mathews counties in Virginia. Established in 1997 by a group of community members, including those from the Abingdon Episcopal Church outreach committee and local medical professionals, the clinic began operations on August 1, 1998[2].

Mission and Vision

The mission of the Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic is to provide community-based healthcare to address the unmet healthcare needs of its community, focusing on those who lack health insurance or are covered by Medicaid[3][5]. The vision is for all residents of Gloucester and Mathews counties to have access to basic healthcare, including medical, dental, and patient health education[2].

History

Originally founded as the Gloucester Mathews Free Clinic, the organization was established with the help of a fundraising campaign that raised $74,000 and a matching grant from Riverside Walter Reed Hospital[2]. Over the years, the clinic has expanded its services and moved to a larger facility in 2014. This transition included renaming the organization to Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic and adding a dental clinic[2]. Following Medicaid expansion in Virginia in 2019, the clinic shifted to a hybrid business model, allowing it to serve both uninsured and Medicaid-covered patients[2].

Services

The clinic offers a wide range of services including:

• Acute Medical Care: Provides care for episodic conditions such as colds, influenza, rashes, and undiagnosed pain[1].
• Chronic Medical Care: Manages chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS through a consistent team of healthcare providers[1].
• Dental Care: Offers preventive oral health care, exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, restorative treatments, fillings, and extractions[1].
• Specialty Referrals: Facilitates referrals to specialized services when necessary[1].
• Pharmacy Services: Dispenses thousands of prescriptions annually, valued at over $1.6 million[2].
• Patient Education: Provides education on medications, lifestyle impacts on health, and nutrition through pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and dietitians[1].

Operations and Impact

Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic provides integrated care to over 400 patients annually and operates under a hybrid model to ensure consistent healthcare access regardless of insurance status[2]. The clinic relies on a combination of volunteers and paid staff to deliver these services[3].

Governance

The clinic is governed by a board of directors that includes community leaders and healthcare professionals. The board ensures ethical governance practices, conducts regular assessments of leadership, and promotes diversity in board composition[5].