Posted: April 8, 2011

By Danielle Walker

danielle.walker@insidebiz.com

Almost two years after My HOPE Free Clinic in Portsmouth shut down, a group of Eastern Virginia Medical School students have launched a similar clinic for Norfolk residents.

The effort is managed by the students, making it the first free clinic of its kind in the state, and the only one in Norfolk offering free services.

Called HOPES Clinic, for Health Outreach Partnership of EVMS Students, the operation that started in January is run out of the Norfolk Department of Public Health at 830 Southampton Ave.

In 2006, EVMS medical students began volunteering at the Maryview Foundation Healthcare Center in Portsmouth once a week, calling the effort Maryview Health Outreach Partnership with EVMS - or My HOPE Free Clinic.

Tunnel-travel obstacles led students to brainstorm a similar service in Norfolk where a free clinic was needed.

Dr. Terri Babineau, the assistant dean for community outreach at EVMS, said the effort is a testament to the students' dedication. Babineau also serves as the medical director of the free clinic.

"I cannot keep up with them," she said. "It's astounding when you think of the eight to 10 hours of studying they spend outside of class, and then to do this? They are so resourceful."

Among the more than 150 student volunteers - all of whom are HIPAA-certified and have had training to work in the clinic - are the three students leading the effort: second-year medical students Daniel Parker, 28, clinic coordinator, and co-directors Caitlin Valentino, 25, and Fuad Bohsali, 24.

The three have all worked as volunteers at other free clinics, local and abroad.

"Our capacity is gradually expanding," Parker said.

Open Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m., HOPES Clinic sets 10 to 13 appointments a week.

"We can do some of the general practice services - that's one area where we are looking for partnerships in the community," Parker said.

Patients set up appointments by calling the clinic and leaving their information at an automated machine. Student volunteers call back to set up the appointment.

From there, patients come in to fill out paperwork.

The clinic manager reviews their medical history, assigning them to a student team.

The student team collaborates with the clinic's attending physicians, who see each patient.

A diagnosis, prescription or plan for each patient is determined by a physician, who briefs the student team.

There are caps on the number of shifts that students can take on.

Parker described the process as a hands-on way of educating students, which include a mix of EVMS students, from those training to become doctors to those in physician assistant and master's of public health programs.

The free clinic serves as the source of primary care for most of its patients.

HOPES Clinic, which doesn't take walk-ins, serves uninsured, low-income residents of Norfolk who are over 18 and under 65.

Although resources are limited in some aspects, Babineau said that over time the students see patients on a continual basis - allowing for more efficient care.

Patients receive ample attention since a limited number are seen within an evening, Babineau said.

"We have the commitment and ability to do it," she said.

The student leaders and Babineau said the community and city have rallied to support the clinic.

For one, the clinic has low overhead costs, since Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim's office helped find space at the Department of Public Health.

In addition, a lot of the clinic equipment was donated by physicians in the region.

All costs associated with the clinic are covered through private donations made to EVMS for the clinic, as well as other donations from the school and students, Babineau said.

The clinic is looking to partner with various community organizations, and plans to seek grants as demand and costs grow.

Valentino said it's hard to help people in the capacity the students do.

If "it was easy, more people would do it," she said.

They have been trying to make it easier for students to volunteer, Valentino said.

In addition to the coordinator and co-directors, leadership at the clinic consists of a committee made up of about 15 students.

Bohsali said that his involvement has made him hyper-aware of what he learns in class.

"Since it's such a new [experience] for us, we do spend that extra time," with patients, Bohsali said. "You're experiencing that difficulty that the patient has for the first time."

Volunteering makes the material he studies more pertinent.

"You can put a face to the disease. Everything that you learn becomes super relevant," he said.

Babineau emphasized that the students behind the community service effort are skilled volunteers growing more capable each day.

"This is truly an adult-led effort," Babineau said. "Many of our students have experiences that are broader than those of other community members who run free clinics."

In the future, students hope to expand their services to include HIV testing, social work and psychological counseling. nib