Staff
Jeannie Gallina, Founder/Development
Director
Christy Fitzgerald, Executive
Director
Martha Malone, Treasurer
Craig Thomas, Board
Chairman,
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
Terry Kuhlwein, MD
Mayo Clinic
Judith Hepburn, ARNP
Florida State College
of Jacksonville
How The
Way Came To Be
In April 2006, The
Way Free Medical Clinic in Green Cove Springs, opened its doors to
meet an increasing demand for basic medical care for the indigent population
of Clay County, Florida.
The need for a free medical clinic began when Jeannie Gallina, Founder,
attended a Peace and Justice Retreat Weekend at Mission Church of Sacred Heart
in August 2005. At the weekend’s Immersion Experience, Gallina met people
from the Hispanic migrant community, where it became clear that they had tremendous
unmet needs –– The Way Free Medical Clinic was born.
The Way, or El Camino as it is called in the Hispanic community, was established
under the guidance of the Clay County Health Department and is staffed with
volunteer doctors, nurses, clerical workers and translators. The clinic is
furnished with donated medical equipment, office furniture, construction materials
and labor, providing four exam rooms, administration space, a triage area,
conference room/educational center, and a large waiting area.
The clients served by The Way are from many different backgrounds and ethnicities.
All are without insurance and qualify financially at or below 200 percent
of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Way provides free basic medical services
as well as laboratory testing, referral services, prescription medications
and educational services. The expenses of The Way are all attributed to these
services. Rent and utilities are paid for by the Sacred Heart Church Outreach
Program.
We are fortunate to have many collaborative partners who work together to
provide a network of services and support: Orange Park Medical Center,
Mori, Bean and Brooks, PA, Consolidated Laboratories, Mayhugh’s Pharmacy,
Clay County Health Department, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, St. Catherine’s
Catholic Church, St. Luke’s Catholic Church, St. Vincent’s
Medical Center, Vision is Priceless and Orange Cove Seventh
Day Adventist Church..
The Way hopes to make an indelible change in the mindset and future health
of the people in the community we serve. Helping our clients understand their
medical needs and encouraging them to take charge of their own health will
have far reaching implications for future generations.
