CLINIC STAFF

The Volunteers In Medicine staff coordinate our volunteers delivering medical treatment, manage an on site dispensary, and provide lifestyle seminars for our patients geared toward better health outcomes.

Joel Henderson, CFRE

President and CEO


Joel brings over 30 years of leadership experience in nonprofits and healthcare management. As President and CEO of Volunteers in Medicine Chattanooga, he leads a dedicated team of staff and 100 volunteers who deliver $2 million in combined pro bono healthcare and prescription assistance each year. Under his leadership, the VIM Chattanooga clinic provides compassionate, high-quality care to more than 2,000 uninsured and financially eligible patients annually across Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia—entirely at no cost.


Passionate about improving access to care, Henderson has spent his career advocating for the uninsured and underinsured, serving on numerous regional and state health consortiums. His leadership extends to board service with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, PRSA Lookout Chapter, and the American Cancer Society. A third-generation Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, he remains an active member of the Chattanooga Club.


A local graduate of Southern Adventist University (’94), Henderson is committed to lifelong learning, completing Leadership Orlando (’07), Leadership Chattanooga (’13), and Leadership Cleveland (’17). His career reflects a blend of strategic vision, hands-on service, and a steadfast dedication to community well-being.

Heather Arnold

Administrative Assistant


Heather joined VIM in August 2023 and has spent most of her career working in both the legal and medical fields. An entrepreneur and local small-business owner, she brings strong organizational and people skills to her role. 


Her passion for community and connection is what drew her to the VIM clinic.

Ray Bell, BSN, RN

Nurse Manager


Ray joined the VIM Chattanooga team in fall 2024, bringing more than 20 years of direct nursing and administrative experience to his role. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing in Addison, IL. 


Ray is passionate about his profession and deeply compassionate toward VIM patients and the care they receive.

Bailey Fraebel

Development and Outreach Manager


Bailey joined VIM in the spring of 2024; however, she is no stranger to local community organizations and businesses. Passionate about helping others, she has contributed in numerous local roles with demonstrated positive impact in community engagement, special events, marketing, and relationship building. 


Bailey is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Special Education.

Kristen Curtis-Gortney, CPhT

Clinic Manager


Over the past 19 years on the VIM staff, Kristen has provided leadership in a variety of roles, including managing the onsite Dispensary and the Patient Prescription Assistance Program. She completed her Pharmacy Technician training at Chattanooga State Community College and earned her national certification in 2007. 


In May 2025, Kristen was promoted to Clinic Manager. She brings a long-standing commitment and passion for serving our patients and supporting the clinic’s mission every day.

Katie Irwin

Community Health Navigator


Katie brings experience from her many volunteer leadership roles with nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting individuals in vulnerable and underserved communities.


She is deeply committed to helping patients adopt healthy behaviors and improve their overall quality of life. Katie is bilingual in Spanish, enabling her to further assist our patients who need language support.

Monique Rubalcava, MA 

Dispensary Coordinator 


Monique is a registered and nationally certified Medical Assistant and Behavior Technician. In addition to leading VIM’s Patient Assistance Program, she provides valuable support in the clinic’s laboratory. 


Being a fluent bilingual Spanish speaker, she helps strengthen our connection with all patients by ensuring clear and compassionate communication.

Michelle Turner

Front Office and Volunteer Coordinator


Michelle joined VIM in August 2015. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and previously served for four years as the Program Director for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. 


In her role at VIM, Michelle brings strong organizational skills, a commitment to service, and a passion for supporting both volunteers and the community.