Volusia Volunteers in Medicine and Bethune-Cookman University Celebrate Five Years of Providing Free Healthcare to Uninsured Volusia County Residents

On Thursday, May 23, 2019, from 6-8 p.m., Volusia Volunteers in Medicine (VVIM) Board of Directors and Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) will host a celebration for local and surrounding communities marking five years of service providing free healthcare to working uninsured residents in Volusia County. The evening reception will take place at the Volusia Volunteers in Medicine Health Care Clinic located in the B-CU Odessa Chambliss Center for Health Equity, located at 113 Lockhart Street in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Board of Directors' representatives from B-CU, Aubrey Long, PhD, Vice President for Business and Community Development, Sandra Tucker, PhD, RN, JD, Dean of the School of Nursing, and Deanna Wathington, MD, Executive Dean and Professor, Petrock College of Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, have aided this initiative, which has yielded tremendous positive impact in caring for individuals with limited or no access to healthcare.

"Bethune-Cookman University is proud to be able to house and provide multiple in-kind services to ensure that the clinic continues to serve the working and uninsured population in Volusia County. B-CU's motto, 'Enter to learn and depart to serve,' embraces the mission of VVIM, and feels blessed to be able to serve the Volusia County community through these efforts," said Dr. Lee, former Vice President of VVIM. 

"By partnering with Volusia Volunteers In Medicine, Bethune-Cookman University has made a contribution to this community that is priceless. BCU stepped up to the plate to honor their founder's command to, "enter to learn and depart to serve." There is no greater service that one can render than to help save lives and the charitable medical care that B-CU has helped to provide has helped save lives of members of our community," noted Francene Barnes, VVIM Board of Directors President. 

"This is evidence of the vital role that collaborative partnerships play in helping to meet the community's increasing health care needs," said Interim President Hubert Grimes, Esquire. 

About Volusia Volunteers in Medicine (VVIM)

VVIM is a volunteer-based medical facility providing health care for the working uninsured in need of medical care. VVIM provides quality, charitable health care and preventative medical services in a caring environment to the working uninsured in Volusia County and the greater Daytona Beach area. The facility is not an emergency room or a walk-in clinic, but an appointment only primary care clinic. Patients will have to meet certain criteria before being seen. VVIM is an initiative of the Daytona Beach Vision Foundation in partnership with Halifax Hospital, Florida Hospital, Bethune Cookman University, the Volusia County Health Department and other community health organizations. Widespread community support has included medical equipment and service, volunteers, and donations.   

About Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU)

Bethune-Cookman University, founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune is a historically Black, United Methodist Church-related, private, coeducational, residential university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. Located in the Atlantic coast city of Daytona Beach, Florida, the University’s main campus consists of 66 academic, administrative, and student support buildings and spans over 86 acres of land. 

B-CU offers 44 majors — 36 undergraduate; eight graduate — through six academic Colleges: Business & Entrepreneurship, Education, Liberal Arts, Health Sciences, Science, Engineering & Mathematics, Global Online Learning, and four Schools: Hospitality Management, Performing Arts & Communication, Religion, and Nursing to award Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.