CLINIC FOUNDED BY HARBOR HILLS RESIDENT STILL GOING STRONG BY NIKKI HOFFMAN

The Big Red Bus will be at Harbor Hills on Wednesday, January 31 from 9 AM-2 PM for blood donations.

CLINIC FOUNDED BY HARBOR HILLS RESIDENT STILL GOING STRONG

A few short miles from the gates of the Harbor Hills Country Club stands a contemporary building behind the Leesburg First Baptist Church. There, you will find the Community Medical Care Center. Incorporated in 1999, this not-for-profit medical clinic offers free medical care for uninsured families with incomes below the federal poverty level.

“We see many local patients each month,” said Tammy Youngren, ministry director. The clinic was the dream of Harbor Hills resident Dr. Howard Vesser, who actively recruited dozens of neighbors to lend their skills to the effort many years ago. With the support of the Leesburg First Baptist Church, Dr. Vesser opened the clinic doors in October 2000. He served as the first medical director and president of the board.

Harbor Hills resident Elba Burns is a familiar face at the clinic. A twenty-year volunteer, Elba is an active Spanish translator. She greets and qualifies patients in a warm and welcoming manner.

The clinic needs volunteers, from physicians to receptionists. Speaking Spanish is a plus. The Florida Department of Health insures physicians who volunteer. The clinic receives some financial support from the nearby UF Health Leesburg Hospital, but more funds are always needed. To help meet that need, the Harbor Hills Ladies Charity makes their donation to this clinic a top priority. To find out how you can help, call the Community Medical Care Center at 352-787-8489.

The Big Red Bus will be at Harbor Hills on Wednesday, January 31 from 9 AM-2 PM for blood donations. Donors receive a $20 gift card, a tee shirt, and a wellness checkup.