The Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative

摘要: Retired physician Samuel A. Cassell has followed his goal to establish the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, Inc. (BVMI), a free medical service for uninsured based on original model developed by retired Jack McConnell in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Volunteers Medicine (VIM) organizations offer services communities all over United States following culture-of-caring philosophy, while relying heavily donated of health care professionals. However, found that starting such facility wealthy County, close enough be suburb New York City, was bigger challenge than anticipated. and BVMI board faced problem trying raise funds build facility, only learn many donors would more interested contributing toward needed an organization already had proven track record; concerns some area hospitals about potential duplication efforts or unequal referrals; local officials suburban residents presence servicing working poor their business community neighborhood.