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.

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

News of Interest

Band Aid Benefit 2013

The benefit raised over $45,000 after all the bills were paid and it was the best one yet. Everyone had a great time and got an inspirational lift with the Voices of Lee. Click here to see the slide show used at the event.

National Organization Honored

Volunteers in Medicine has been honored with a 2012 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of nonprofit organizations.

“We are excited to be named a Top-Rated 2012 Nonprofit,” said Amy Hamlin, Executive Director. “Volunteers in Medicine is the only national nonprofit dedicated to the development of a national network of free medical clinics to care for the working uninsured.” To date, there are 92 VIM clinics in 28 states. Hamlin added, “We believe that even with the passage of the historic Affordable Care Act, Volunteers in Medicine safety-net clinics will be needed for the foreseeable future.” Shown at the right are volunteer physicians serving in the VIM Chattanooga clinic, Dr. Robert Magill, Dr. Robert Bowers, Medical Director and Dr. Robert Myers.

Read more...

Freedom Award for Dr. Bowers

Dr. Robert Bowers, VIM Medical Director, received the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2012. The Chattanooga Chapter at Valley Forge National Awards Ceremony was held Sunday at Collegedale City Hall.

Dr Robert Meyers presented award to Dr Robert Bowers. Also shown, from left, are Bettye Parker, Dalton Roberts and County Commission Chairman Larry Henry. Read article

Golf Tournament

The VIM Randy Smith Golf Classic was held on Friday, July 27^th and it was a huge success. The clinic netted over $40,000 for the event! This will operate the clinic for over a month and provide medical care valued for over 500 patient visits and medical care at over $800,000 at ER rates. Thanks go to all the volunteers who worked the event and sponsors of the event. Special thanks go to Mitchell Byrd, PLLC and Christ United Methodist Church – underwriters for the event, and for the anonymous donor who did matching funds for new golf sponsors and golf donors. See full report

Message from the President

Volunteers in Medicine, Chattanooga will continue doing today and tomorrow what we have done for the past 7+ years, serving our friends and neighbors who have no medical insurance.  VIM Chattanooga remains committed to the well-being of the low income uninsured who need medical care.  The Volunteers in Medicine Board of Directors will continue to evaluate current and future rulings and make any necessary changes.

Dr. Schmitt Named to National Office

Dr. Colleen Schmitt, VIM founding physician, has been named President Elect - Elect of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. See news release. Dr. Schmitt was one of the early physicians who stepped up in 2003 when the clinic was just a good idea. She has worked tirelessly to insure that VIM patients receive the best of medical care. Congratulations, Colleen!

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.      

Read more...

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.

Read more...