Macon Volunteer Clinic (MVC) proudly recognizes four Healthcare Heroes for extraordinary service to its mission during 2020.  These awardees are Carolyn Hargrove, RN, Windy Blanks, WTB Services, and Mercer School of Medicine Student Body.  They were recognized at MVC’s annual ‘DocStock’ gala November 4^th at The Blacksmith Shop.

Carolyn Hargrove, RN volunteers faithfully each Tuesday from 4-7 pm at MVC.  She has been a President’s Volunteer Recipient in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019.  Despite being in what is defined as a ‘higher risk’ category for COVID-19, she was one of the earliest volunteers to return to MVC after the national lockdown, when MVC cautiously and safely re-opened to in-person appointments; and she logged in 97 volunteer hours in 2020.

Windy Blanks was also one of the first volunteers to return in person to MVC in 2020, and logged 159 volunteer hours that year.  An ‘eligibility specialist,’ he volunteers each Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning to screen potential patients for age, income, employment and residency criteria.  If eligibility is met, he establishes them with their first Clinic appointment.  Windy is versatile and serves in a variety of capacities as needed.  He has been a President’s Volunteer Service Recipient in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Mercer Medical School students have been loyal volunteers at MVC since its inception in 2003.  Their commitment to service was especially apparent in the early days of the 2020 lockdown.  They contacted each MVC active patient by phone – a list of several hundred – to query their health status and needs, instruct on COVID-19 safety protocols, connect to MVC via telemedicine as needed, offer instructions for prescription refills and medication pick-ups, and query general ‘social determinants of health’ status.  When in-person MVC appointments resumed, the students were among the first volunteers to return.

WTB Services began providing pro bono IT services to MVC in its earliest years.  Their services are an essential component of MVC’s infrastructure.  During the 2020 national lockdown, demand for IT services surged as employers pivoted to establish remote work that required equipment installation and faster and more secure internet connections.  WTB Services found itself working nights and weekends to keep up with the demands of their customers who were struggling to adapt to the challenging landscape.  In spite of these extenuating needs of commercial customers, WTB Services to MVC remained continuous and of the highest quality and responsiveness.

“We thank these 2020 Healthcare Heroes – and all our volunteers – for their unwavering support in 2020, when the world was struggling to meet the challenges of the pandemic and its sweeping consequences,” states MVC Executive Director Nancy White.  “They certainly made a difference in the lives of our patients who by virtue of qualifying for our services, are already struggling with food, rent and other basic needs that most of us take for granted.  Each day that these volunteers appear in our building, they bring energy, brightness, magnanimity of spirit, and hope.”

In 2020, despite the national lockdown and state of emergency in Georgia, 3,084 volunteer hours were contributed to MVC.  To learn how to become a volunteer with MVC, call (478) 755-1110, x. 130, or visit www.maconvolunteerclinic.org.

Macon Volunteer Clinic was established in 2003 and is powered by philanthropy and volunteer providers.   Its purpose is to foster a community where all working adults, regardless of insurance or ability to pay, can lead healthy and productive lives.  To be eligible for its services – at no cost – patients must reside in Macon-Bibb County, work, be between 18-64 years of age, have no health insurance, and earn at or lower than 200% of the Federal Poverty Limits.