Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades (VIM) is a nonprofit clinic in Bend that provides free medical care to low-income, uninsured adults from working families in Central Oregon. Our mission is “to improve the health and wellness of the medically uninsured or critically underserved through the engagement of professionals, community partners, and dedicated volunteers.” None of our patients are eligible for ACA programs. They need healthcare but do not have the funds to pay for medical services out-of-pocket. VIM is here to help cover that gap, serving over 1,100 patients annually.
VIM is the only clinic in Central Oregon that cares exclusively for the uninsured without charge. Patients receive primary and specialty medical care, prescription medications, mental health care, surgery, physical therapy, lab work, imaging and medical tests, and targeted patient education programs. All care is provided through medical and support volunteers. We manage over 200 volunteers each year. Last year, we additionally leveraged 300 local specialists representing 46 specialties to provide no-fee visits to 321 patients outside the clinic. We are a community organization, engaging doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to provide pro bono medical care for community members who have nowhere else to turn.