Representatives of The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, were in Meridian on Thursday, Feb. 5, to present a grant to the Free Clinic of Meridian.

    Dr. Brent Smith of Cleveland, Miss., an AAFP Board member, and Ms. Sharon Hunt, Programs Specialist with the AAFP Foundation, located in Leawood, Kans,, presented the $17,805 grant during a noon ceremony at the Free Clinic.

     AAFP member, Dr. Lee Valentine, who is also a volunteer physician at the Free Clinic and a member of the Board of Directors, accepted the grant on behalf of the clinic.

    The grant will be used to purchase needed medical equipment and supplies. In discussing his work at the Free Clinic, Dr. Valentine said, “Working in the Free Clinic brings back a lot of the joy and satisfaction of practicing medicine. You don’t have to deal with all of the insurance and bureaucratic regulations and hassles. It just comes down to you and the patient, taking care of their needs, and using your training and expertise to help patients. It brings me back to why I went into medicine in the first place.”

     The Free Clinic of Meridian was established in November, 2014, and is staffed by four volunteer physicians, six volunteer nurse practitioners, and numerous volunteer nurses and non-medical staff members.

    The clinic serves the needs of uninsured adults, age 19-64, who earn 200 percent or less of the Federal Poverty Level. The Clinic is located at 4707 Poplar Springs Drive and is open on Mondays, 1-4 p.m.; Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5-8 p.m..

    Applicants must present a photo ID and proof of employment and are seen by appointment only. For more information on Free Clinic services or to volunteer, call 601-286-5551 or visit the website, freeclinicofmeridian.com.

      The Free Clinic of Meridian Board of Directors includes:  the Rev. Debra Brewer; Phil Brooks, CPA, Treasurer;  Lean Follett, JD; David Goldman; Kevin Hatch; Brenda Hiatt, President; Tim Ivey, MD, Medical Director; Alonda McFarland, MSN, FNP-C; Michelle Pendergrass, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC; Ginny Ruffin, LCSW, ACSW; Patsy Sandusky, PhD; Lee Valentine, DO; and Cathy Williamson, MSN, CNM, Vice President.