Volunteers in Medicine Clinic welcomes Courtney Gallant as new director of philanthropy and community outreach

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)--Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades  celebrating 20 years of providing medical care in its clinic to the uninsured and critically underserved in Central Oregon, welcomes Courtney Gallant as the new Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach.

Courtney brings a decade of experience in local development and community outreach, with previous positions in nonprofit development and corporate community relations. She was born and raised in Central Oregon, a graduate of Redmond High School and Boise State University. She resides in Redmond with her husband, two Great Danes, their toddler son, and recently welcomed a newborn daughter.

Ms. Gallant will play a pivotal role in increasing visibility for VIM Cascades in the Central Oregon community, enhancing donor relations, and building on fundraising efforts to continue community support of VIM's crucial mission: to improve the health and wellness of the medically uninsured and critically underserved through the engagement of professionals, community partners, and dedicated volunteers.

"My immediate goal is to continue the strong legacy VIM has established in Central Oregon; I look forward to cultivating meaningful relationships with new and existing donors, and engaging intentionally with the larger community," she says.

"I believe access to health care is a human right, and Volunteers in Medicine provides such a vital service to our community. VIM fills a critical gap in healthcare access and culturally responsive care, reducing the burden on Central Oregon's healthcare systems and keeping community members healthy. Our patients find a trusted care home at VIM where they feel safe and respected."

Courtney extends and invitation to the community to join volunteers, staff, and patients on March 20th for a special Open House event from 5:30-7pm at the clinic, 2300 NE Neff Rd on the St. Charles Bend campus. The event celebrates 20 years of VIM clinic services to the Central Oregon community. Volunteers will offer clinic tours and visitors will be able to talk with clinic stewards and learn more about the history, and future, of VIM Cascades.

Currently, VIM patients receive a coordinated system of health care that can include primary and specialty care, prescription medications, mental health care, and/or basic dental care, as needed. Patients must qualify for services every 12 months and have a family income of less than 300% of the federal poverty line, or less than $93,600 annually for a family of four. All care is still provided without charge, but patients are encouraged to contribute donations as they are able.

Since the clinic opened, it has provided over $151 million in medical treatment and services to the local community and served 15,732 patients who would not have had consistent healthcare without VIM. The hope is that one day community members won’t need a clinic like VIM. Until then, Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades will be here.

About Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades

Now honoring nearly 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 about $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.