Welcome to the Volunteers in Medicine Website!

Volunteers in Medicine, Chattanooga, Inc. (VIM Chattanooga) is a primary care medical clinic which opened in May, 2005. It provides medical services to financially eligible individuals and families of Hamilton County who otherwise have no access to health care. The clinic is located in the 5900 Building at Eastgate and is based on a model established by former Chattanoogan, Dr. Jack McConnell in Hilton Head, SC.

News of Interest

Band Aid Banquet

The Annual Band-Aid Banquet was held April 16, 2012, at Abba's House in Hixson. Jeff Olingy, VP, Chattanooga State, was the featured speaker.  Click here for article and photos.

Patient Stories

There are many instances where patients express their appreciation to the Clinic. These four patients did so in short videos. Click on each of these links to understand and appreciate what the Clinic has meant to them.

   Patient One      Patient Two      Patient Three      Patient Four

Clinic Wins Award

VIM Received the Be More Collaborative Partnership Award from WTCI at the Trade Center on March 6, 2012! Accepting the award, Nancy Franks, VIM President said:  “Wow.  First, I would like to thank the Lord for bringing our community together to serve our friends and neighbors who fall between the cracks when it comes to healthcare.  I want to thank all our partners in the community for without your support, we couldn’t deliver the excellent medical care in our community.  Last of all, I want to thank the committee, we are truly humbled and honored by this award.   Thank you so much.” Read newspaper article.

VIM Chattanooga received the 2011 Be More Impactful Local Service Award on March 9, 2011 at the Convention and Trade Center. This award recognizes an organization that has responded to a community need and is making a significant difference in the community as measured by specific outcomes and by participation in its programs. For the 2011 video  click here.

Dr Bowers Award

VIM Medical Director Receives Award.  On February 19, 2012, Dr. Robert Bowers, VIM Medical Director since start up in 2005, was honored by the Chattanooga Chapter of the Freedom’s Foundation at  Valley Forge.  Dr. Bowers received the “Distinguished Citizen and Lifetime Achievement Award.”  While this recognizes Dr. Bowers’ many years of volunteer service to the community through personal service and in leadership positions, much of this award is for service as VIM’s Medical Director.  Commissioner Larry Henry, who nominated Dr. Bowers, also made the presentation at the Annual Awards meeting of the Chattanooga Chapter held at the Salvation Army’s Brainerd Worship and Service Center.      

In 2011, Dr. Bowers received the prestigious 2011 Jack B. McConnell, M.D. Award for Excellence in Volunteerism presented by the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation, in association with Pfizer Inc. Read full article and watch video about Dr. Bowers.