Free clinic set to open
By RICK WOOD Staff Reporter
Dr. Jimmy Grierson (L to R), Dianne White, Larry Weston and Pastor Frank Michl celebrate the completion of training needed to open the Safe Harbor free clinic. PHOTO BY RICK WOOD STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS The ribbon's been cut and the all-volunteer staff of Safe Habor free clinic in Stanwood is ready to begin treating patients.
The Safe Harbor clinic, which is slated to open Fri., June 19, will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. on the first and third Fridays each month.
Stanwood Mayor Dianne White, who was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, said she's thrilled to see the clinic become a reality.
"I am so hopeful that this clinic will be able to handle the many people who have the need for their services," said White. "It is gratifying to watch people give back to the community that supports them."
Larry Weston, Safe Harbor executive director, said he was humbled by the outpouring of volunteerism and community support for the project.
"There are many people involved with the project," said Weston. "It's a culmination of many efforts."
The free clinic is an outreach effort of Camano Chapel and received assistance from ECHO, a non-profit corporation whose mission is to develop 10,000 nonprofit health care clinics by the year 2030.
State statistics indicate that there may be more than 100,000 children and adults in Island, Skagit and Snohomish counties without any form of health insurance.
Currently, there are no free clinics near the I-5 corridor between Seattle and the Canadian border.
"Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis," he said.
However, the clinic is unable to provide care by appointment.
Services provided at the clinic include the diagnosis and management of acute care conditions including basic office laboratory testing and referral for more complex problems, he said.
The clinic's goal is to provide urgent medical care to the uninsured in the community, said Weston.
Dr. Jimmy Grierson, who practices at Skagit Valley Medical Center in Stanwood, said he has hoped to provide free care to the Stanwood and Camano Island community members in need for awhile.
Grierson had formerly worked at a free clinic in Vancouver, Washington and said the seeds for this project were sown during his experiences.
"I was really impressed by the type of care provided," said Grierson.
However, it was on a trip doing medical work in Haiti with a group from Camano Chapel, that the idea of a free clinic really gained momentum.
"I thought that if we could do this 4,000 miles away — we can do this in our own backyard," he said.
Grieson partnered with Weston and Pastor Frank Michl, of Camano Chapel, to lay the groundwork for the clinic. Michl and Weston attended the annual conference of the Washington Free Clinic Association to gather information and resources, said Grierson.
Their aim was to meet the needs of children and adults who are unable to access or afford basic medical care, he said.
Grierson said all elements of the project came together very quickly.
"It's amazing," he said. "I can't believe we've gone this fast."
Grierson credits the community and volunteers with making Safe Harbor a reality.
The clinic will expand with the continued support of the community, said Grierson.
"We intend to grow purposefully from here," he said.
For more information, visit www.safeharborfreeclinic.org or call 425-870-7384.
Reporter Rick Wood: 629- 8066 ext. 104 or rwood@scnews. com.
