Staff Report

NEWBERRY — The Free Medical Clinic of Newberry County Inc. is celebrating its 11th year of operation.

The clinic was opened in 2004 by Bobby Summer, Dr. Eugene Epting and a host of other volunteers. In 2004, the clinic had only 35 patient visits. Last year, the clinic had 1,920 patient visits.

Since the full implementation of the ACA, the free clinics continue providing charity care as a member of the safety net. The Free Medical Clinic recently increased the eligibility poverty level to 194 percent to serve more individuals in need of healthcare.

The estimated value of services/procedures provided by the clinic in the previous calendar year was $332,390 but that figure does not include labs, X-rays and hospital stays that were provided at no charge to patients. Medications that were provided in 2014 totaled $45,750.

The clinic provides referrals to specialists such as oncologists, dentists, ophthalmologists, cardiologists and surgeons.

Contact the clinic for more information. Checks for memorials/donations/honorariums should be mailed to the clinic at P.O. Box 783, Newberry, SC 29108.