Joyce Hardy Named President of Free Clinics of Michigan, Great Lakes Board
Local Clinic Has Over 200 Volunteers Providing Care to Thousands
February 25, 2007
By: Dave Rogers
Joyce Hardy supervises volunteers at Helen M. Nickless Volunteer Clinic.
New president of the board and state coordinator of Free Clinics of Michigan is Joyce Hardy, manager of the Helen M. Nickless Volunteer Clinic, associated with Bay Regional Medical Center.
She also was named to the board of directors of Free Clinics of the Great Lakes Region (FCGLR).
There are more than 50 free clinics in Michigan and 250 clinics in the seven state Great Lakes network.
Mrs. Hardy, a Registered Nurse for 46 years, works with the volunteer medical director of the Helen M. Nickless Clinic, Dr. Floyd Stevens, to assure that thousands of patients receive quality medical care.
She earned her degree in nursing from Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, and a bachelor of science degree in Health Care Administration from St. Joseph College, Standish, Maine.
For the past 18 years, Mrs. Hardy has been director of Physician and Clinic Services, overseeing several medical practices in the Bay County area. Previously she was a staff nurse and manager of Bay Medical Center's emergency department.
The Helen M. Nickless Volunteer Clinic, 1480 W. Center Road, Essexville, serves citizens in the Bay area who have no health insurance or are under-insured. The clinic, that opened March 31, 2004, provides care without charge by volunteer physicians, nurses and lay individuals.
The Volunteer Clinic provides free care to those with no health insurance who are unable to afford medical care. Patients are seen every Wednesday evening and must sign in between 5-6:30 pm. There are no appointments. Care is provided by local licensed physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and pharmacists who volunteer their time. Twenty-five community volunteers assist every night in the clinic and the pharmacy.
Free services include lab, x-ray, medical supplies and prescribed drugs.
The director said: "In addition to medical care, a clinic volunteer works with every patient to determine possible eligibility to enroll in a government sponsored insurance plan. The majority of our patients qualify for some assistance.
"The clinic will continue to provide care until a patient receives insurance at which time the clinic assists the patient in transferring to another provider who accepts their insurance.
"The Volunteer Clinic has over 200 community members who volunteer their time to provide this valuable service."
Seeking more volunteers, Mrs. Hardy said: "The clinic can use everyone's talent. In addition to the licensed professionals listed above, we need those who can file, copy, interview patients for social-economical information, greet patients in the waiting room, assist the pharmacist in preparing prescription drugs.
"Nursing Staff includes R.N.,LPN, CNA, MA, Techs and any clinical professional who is experienced in providing basic patient care.
There is no formal in-service required for our volunteers , training is provided at your first assignment. Because of the number of volunteers most only work 5-6 times a year. Some of our volunteers work behind the scenes on days other than Wednesday."
For more information about the Volunteer Clinic call 895-4830.###